Systems and/or methods for producing synthetic hydrocarbons from biomass

ABSTRACT

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can include and/or relate to, converting biomass to synthetic hydrocarbons using a biomass thermal decomposer and/or a hydrocarbon synthesizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential, feasible, and/or useful embodiments will bemore readily understood through the herein-provided, non-limiting,non-exhaustive description of certain exemplary embodiments, withreference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a processcontrol system;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an informationdevice.

DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments can provide systems and/or methods for renewablyproducing synthetic hydrogen fuel, synthetic natural gas, syntheticliquifiable hydrocarbon fuels, and/or other synthetic hydrocarbons frombiomass, low-carbon energy resources, and/or variable renewable energythrough integrated mass and energy balance processes, components, and/orsubsystems. Electrical power from solar, wind, hydrokinetic, and/orother energy sources can be stored via the electrolysis of water asseparated hydrogen and oxygen gases. The separate hydrogen and oxygengases can be supplied to biomass gasification and/or hydrocarbonsynthesis processes, components, and/or subsystems to improve the yieldand/or performance of the overall system. Mass and/or heat integrationprocesses, components, and/or subsystems, such as a compressed gasstorage, electrical power storage, water storage, heat transfer fluidstorage, heat exchange, and/or conveyance processes, components, and/orsubsystems, can efficiently store energy, heat, and/or mass on temporarybasis, and/or supply the energy, heat, and/or mass under more steadystate conditions to the energy conversion and/or fuel synthesisprocesses. Certain material products and/or byproducts of the biomassconversion, hydrocarbon synthesis, and/or electrolysis processes can bestored in the mass and/or heat integrator for later selective recyclingas “recycle mass”. Certain exemplary embodiments can apply renewableenergy to convert biomass to syngas to synthetic hydrocarbons (e.g.,synthetic hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel and gasoline), whereby heatand/or mass can be stored and/or delivered to balance and control theoverall process.

Certain embodiments can provide systems, machines, and/or methods forproducing synthetic hydrocarbons from biomass and/or renewable energy. Amass and energy integrator (or mass and heat integrator) can function tosupport greater variation in energy and/or biomass supply rates,temporarily store mass and/or energy, supply the mass and/or energyunder more steady state conditions to the biomass thermal decompositionand/or hydrocarbon synthesis processes, enable advanced process controland automation capabilities, and/or improve the technical and/oreconomic performance of the overall system. Modularization and/or moreindependent operation of the processes for synthesizing hydrocarbonsfrom biomass and/or renewable electrical power can improve theperformance of the overall system at smaller scales and/or variablemethods of use. Exemplary embodiments can comprise the primary forms ofenergy storage that include, but are not limited to, storage of preparedbiomass, storage of electrical power, and storage of hydrogen (H₂) gasand/or other chemical intermediates.

Certain embodiments can use biomass and/or electrical power obtainedfrom renewable and/or low-carbon resources (e.g., solar, wind, hydro,geothermal, nuclear, and/or other sources) to produce hydrogen,synthetic hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and/or electricity. Thesynthetic hydrocarbons can comprise fuels, chemicals, solvents, oils,and/or waxes. For example, synthetic hydrocarbons can comprise methane,ethane, liquifiable petroleum gases (e.g., propane, butane, propylene),gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, oils, methanol, ethanol, and/or otherhydrocarbons and/or other oxygenated hydrocarbons.

Certain exemplary embodiments can meet the interdependent needs ofaddressing climate change and cost-effectively producing renewablesynthetic fuels. Certain exemplary embodiments can capture energy and/orcarbon from biomass which can help mitigate and/or reverse the adverseeffects of climate changes resulting from anthropogenic emissions ofcarbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases. Certain exemplaryembodiments can provide a drop-in replacement of fossil fuels withsynthetic hydrocarbon fuels and/or can have the potential for rapidand/or high impacts on CO₂ emissions by minimizing the need to alter theinfrastructure that can use these fuels.

Via certain exemplary embodiments, significant quantities of net CO₂emission reductions can be achieved by utilizing synthesized hydrocarbonfuels produced from biomass instead of utilizing fossil fuels extractedfrom the ground. The greatest impacts on net CO₂ emissions can beachieved when biomass that would otherwise go unused is instead utilizedby certain exemplary embodiments to produce synthetic hydrocarbons suchas synthetic hydrocarbon fuels. For example, in certain exemplaryembodiments, agricultural crop residues left in the field, forestryresidues, compost, and/or organic landfill materials can undergodecomposition to release wasted energy and/or carbon. Any carbon-basedmaterial that can decompose to synthesis gas (“syngas”) at temperaturesbelow 1,200 degrees Celsius, including but not limited to energy crops,coal, petroleum, fiber, and plastics can be used in certain embodiments.Fuels, such as hydrogen, synthetic natural gas and liquifiable synthetichydrocarbon fuels, can be produced from this energy and carbon in a“biomass to gas” and/or “biomass to liquid” approach. Biomass used bycertain exemplary embodiments might contain only enough energy toconvert about 30-50% of the carbon in the biomass to fuel while theremaining carbon would be released into the atmosphere as CO₂ if notsequestered or used by such embodiments. In certain exemplaryembodiments, additional energy from a renewable resource, such as solar,wind, hydrokinetic, and/or other resource, can be used to generateelectrical power that can be added to the hydrocarbon synthesis processto convert greater fractions of the biomass to one or more synthetichydrocarbons. Electrical power from nuclear, natural gas, and/or otherresources also can be utilized in certain exemplary embodiments.

Certain exemplary embodiments can utilize gasification to apply heat tothermally decompose biomass into synthesis gas, which primarily can be acombination of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂), but also caninclude significant fractions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and/or methane(CH₄). In certain exemplary embodiments, gasification also can producebiomass thermal decomposition byproducts (i.e., gasificationbyproducts), such as liquids, which will be referred to as “tar” herein,and/or carbonized solids, which will be referred to as “biochar” herein.For simplicity, the use of gasification will herein encompass therelated processes of pyrolysis, liquefaction, partial combustion, andother processes associated with thermal decomposition of biomass. Incertain exemplary embodiments, the relative quantities of syngas,biochar, and tar can be somewhat dependent upon the type of gasificationand/or corresponding process conditions. Via certain exemplaryembodiments, using syngas to create synthetic hydrocarbons (e.g.,synthetic fuels such as methane, diesel, and/or gasoline) can be favoredby process conditions that produce relatively greater quantities ofsyngas than tar and char. Biomass thermal decomposition byproducts (ofbiomass decomposition (syngas production)), such as biochar, tar,volatile nitrogen, volatile sulfur, and/or other potential contaminants,can be removed from the syngas prior to the catalytic conversion of thesyngas to synthetic fuels and/or other synthetic hydrocarbons. Incertain exemplary embodiments, biomass thermal decomposition byproducts(from the gasified biomass) that can serve as nutrients, such asnon-volatilized nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, potassium, calcium,magnesium, and/or transition metal compounds, can be retained in thebiochar. The biochar can be a nutrient-rich agricultural crop fertilizerthat can enhance the retention of nutrients, organic carbon, and/orwater (H₂O) in soils.

Certain exemplary embodiments can utilize and/or generate hydrocarbonfuels, which can be forms of carbon that have been reduced to lowoxidation states. The reduction of carbon can decrease the oxidationstate of carbon by concentrating electrons on the carbon atoms. Viacertain exemplary embodiments, hydrocarbon fuels with more reducedcarbon can release more energy when the fuel is oxidized with oxygen(O₂) to the highest carbon oxidation state of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Thedegree that carbon has been reduced can be described in terms offunctional equivalents of hydrogen (H₂) that have been added to CO₂. Forexample, in certain exemplary embodiments, the addition of H₂ to CO₂ canproduce CO according to the reverse water gas shift reaction of equation(1). The addition of 4 units of H₂ to CO₂ can produce methane (CH₄)according to the methanation reaction of equation (2). Via certainexemplary embodiments, methane can be upgraded to natural gas throughpurification and compression to meet local natural gas pipelinestandards. In certain exemplary embodiments, methane can be synthesizedby reducing CO with 3 units of H₂ according to reaction of equation (3).Certain exemplary embodiments can synthesize liquifiable synthesizedsuch as propane, gasoline, diesel, jet fuels, methanol, ethanol, ethers,and/or other compositions that can be approximated as (CH₂)_(n), where nis the number of carbon atoms in the synthesized hydrocarbon molecules.With certain exemplary embodiments, a distribution of liquifiablesynthesized hydrocarbon fuels can be synthesized from syngas through theFischer-Tropsch process represented by the reaction of equation (4). Viacertain exemplary embodiments, synthesized hydrocarbon fuels can besynthesized through the methanol (CH₃OH) route according to thereactions of equations (5)-(6). In certain exemplary embodiments, thefuel synthesizer can incorporate catalysts capable of selectivelyperforming relevant fuel synthesis reactions that can include, e.g.,various combinations of equations (1)-(6). With certain exemplaryembodiments, the gasification of biomass can produce a syngas with arelatively low effective composition of 1H₂ per 1 CO to 2H₂ per 1 CO to3H₂ per 1 CO, which can be attained when synthesizing natural gas. Incertain exemplary embodiments, additional H₂ can be added to thesynthesis gas to increase the quantity of synthesized hydrocarbonsand/or synthesized hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from the gasifiedbiomass and/or to optimize the overall fuel synthesis process. Naturalgas or other carbon-rich compounds also can be fed to the gasifier alongwith the biomass to increase the H₂ to CO ratio in the resulting syngas.In certain exemplary embodiments, the water gas shift reaction, which isthe reverse of equation (1), can be applied to manage the H₂ per COratio. For certain exemplary embodiments, the output of the hydrocarbonsynthesis (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch, cracking, etc.) process can includegases, such as butane (C₄H₁₀), propane (C₃H₈), ethane (C₂H₆), CH₄, H₂,CO, and/or CO₂, that can be stored and/or selectively recycled tovarious stages of the gasification and/or hydrocarbon synthesisprocesses. In certain exemplary embodiments, the hydrocarbon synthesisprocesses can produce oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols,carboxylic acids, ethers, ketones, or other oxygenates. In certainexemplary embodiments, the hydrocarbon synthesis processes can producewater, which can be stored and/or recycled for use in gasification,water electrolysis, and/or other processes relevant to the overallsystem. If certain synthetic hydrocarbons, such as propane, butane,alcohols, carboxylic acids, ethers, or other liquifiable products offuel synthesis are undesirable for a given application, then via certainexemplary embodiments, any of those products can be stored and/orselectively recycled through the gasifier and/or oligomerized to largerhydrocarbons. In certain exemplary embodiments, if certain synthetichydrocarbons are produced, such as waxes or other products ofhydrocarbon synthesis whose molecular weights are too large to bedesirable for a given application, then those synthetic hydrocarbons canbe cracked into smaller, potentially more valuable products in anadditional refining step. In certain exemplary embodiments, waxes and/orother synthetic hydrocarbons with large molecular weights can be storedand/or selectively recycled through the gasifier, which can help toavoid additional equipment costs and/or process complexity.CO₂+H₂⇒CO+H₂O  (1)CO₂+4H₂⇒CH₄+2H₂O  (2)CO+3H₂⇒CH₄+H₂O  (3)n CO+2nH₂⇒(CH₂)_(n) +nH₂O  (4)CO+2H₂⇒CH₃OH  (5)nCH₄OH⇒(CH₂)_(n) +nH₂O  (6)

In certain exemplary embodiments, the heat used for gasification can begenerated by releasing a fraction of the chemical energy of the biomassthrough one or more exothermic chemical reactions. For example, thepartial oxidation of biomass can be simply represented as graphiticcarbon (C) with oxygen (O₂) with the exothermic reaction of equation(7). Since O₂ follows nitrogen (N₂) as the second largest component ofair, this O₂ can be introduced into the gasification process byinjecting air as a gasifying agent into the gasifier. In certainexemplary embodiments, purified O₂ can be injected as a gasifying agentinto the gasifier to thermally decompose the biomass into syngas withthe heat released by the reaction of equation (7). The overall systemcan be designed and/or operated to justify the equipment and/or energycosts of producing purified O₂ for injection into the gasifier. Theinjection of steam (H₂O) and/or CO₂ into the gasifier as gasifyingagents can generate heat for the biomass gasification process throughthe exothermic reactions of equations (8) and (9), respectively. Thegasification process can be designed to generate heat through thereactions of equations (8) and (9) because they can retain more chemicalenergy in the syngas than the reaction of equation (5) alone. Greaterquantities of chemical energy in the syngas can enable higher yields ofsynthetic hydrocarbons, such as synthetic hydrocarbon fuel products.C+½O₂⇒CO  (7)C+H₂O ⇒CO+H₂  (8)C+CO₂⇒2CO  (9)

Separated H₂ and O₂ can be produced by the electrolysis of water withthe input of electrical power through the reaction of equation (10).Water electrolysis can be performed with proton exchange membrane (PEM),alkaline, solid oxide, and/or other electrolytic cells. The coproductionof separated H₂ and O₂ through water electrolysis can simultaneouslyenable adding H₂ to increase the yield of the synthesis process andadding pure O₂ to the gasification process. The H₂ from electrolysis canbe added in the gasification stage and/or the hydrocarbon synthesisstage. Syngas and/or other gaseous products of the fuel synthesis stagethat are rich in H₂, CO, and/or hydrocarbons can be stored and/orselectively recycled to enhance the gasification stage and/or thehydrocarbon synthesis stage. Certain exemplary embodiments canincorporate high temperature water (>200° C.) electrolysis usingtechnology based on solid oxide electrolysis, where the heat requiredfor performing electrolysis at high temperatures is supplied from thegasifier. In certain exemplary embodiments, the water electrolysisprocess can be performed under relatively non-steady state rates inresponse to potentially intermittent character of renewable energysupply.2H₂O⇒2H₂+O₂  (10)

Mass and/or energy balancing can be incorporated into the overallprocess system design and/or operations. The capacities of the biomassstorage, biomass processing, electrical energy storage, waterelectrolysis, gasifier, syngas purification, hydrocarbon synthesis, gascompression, and/or other processes can be balanced to maximize productyields and/or minimize equipment costs. For certain exemplaryembodiments, the costs of equipment procurement, installation,operation, and/or maintenance can be approximately proportional toequipment size. Therefore, equipment size and/or related costs can beminimized by approaching a target steady state, high-capacity throughputfor gasifier, electrolysis, and/or hydrocarbon synthesis subsystems,components, and/or processes. In certain exemplary embodiments, thegasification, electrolysis, and/or hydrocarbon synthesis subsystems,components, and/or processes can be operated near a target rating ofsteady state, high-capacity throughput to support safe and reliableprocess control and/or high product yields of synthetic hydrocarbons.Certain exemplary embodiments can switch from the synthesis of synthetichydrocarbons (e.g., synthetic hydrocarbon fuels) from to generatingelectrical power directly from the syngas via a genset (i.e., a matedcombination of a syngas-fueled combustion engine and an electrical powergenerator, where the operating engine drives the generator). Certainexemplary embodiments can generate electricity from biomassgasification, for example, by diverting the resulting syngas away fromthe synthesizer and instead to a combustion engine, which can beoperated as a separate system located at the same site.

Certain exemplary embodiments can be designed and/or operated to useboth pure O₂ gas as a gasifying agent by the gasifier and pure H₂ gas asa reducing agent that increases the fuel synthesis yields. Certainexemplary embodiments can produce enough pure O₂ gas from waterelectrolysis to operate the gasifier near full capacity withoutsupplying substantial quantities of air as a gasifying agent to thegasifier. The biomass gasifier can be predominantly supplied with pureO₂ gas produced by water electrolysis at levels near the minimumoperational requirement without a substantial supply of air to thegasifier. In certain exemplary embodiments, predominantly operating thegasifier with pure O₂ gas and without air can be affected by supplyingthe gasifier with recycle gas streams from the hydrocarbon synthesisprocesses that are rich in H₂, CO, and/or other fuel gases, recyclestreams that include liquid and/or solid byproducts of fuel synthesis(i.e., synthesis byproducts), and/or an external source of methane-richgas. The point at which the water electrolysis system is producingenough pure O₂ gas to meet the minimum requirement for significantlyair-free operation of the gasifier is herein referred to as the O₂balance condition. Certain exemplary embodiments can be designed and/oroperated on average near or above the O₂ balance condition. The O₂balance condition can be regarded as a general average or conceptualcondition instead of an exact point because the exact O₂ balance pointmight subject to relatively small changes due to weather patterns,system maintenance, biomass composition, and/or other relevant factors.The N₂ gas concentration in the syngas can be below 20 volume percent,such as below 10 volume percent, when operating near or above the O₂balance condition. The overall system can be designed and/or used sothat the renewable energy generated by the system can be applied towater electrolysis for supplying enough O₂ gas to at least meet the O₂balance condition. Additional electrical power from external sources,such as the electric utility grid, can be applied to electrically powerwater electrolysis and/or equipment other than the water electrolysissubsystem. Certain exemplary embodiments can operate without anynon-intermittent electrical power to produce O₂ gas through waterelectrolysis. Certain exemplary embodiments can be designed and/oroperated substantially below the O₂ balance condition, whereby thegasifier demand for significantly air-free operation is substantiallynot met by O₂ gas supplied by water electrolysis. Certain exemplaryembodiments can be designed and/or operated below the O₂ balancecondition by using air instead of purified O₂ due to effects thatinclude, but are not limited to, the system startup and shutdown cycles,lack of electrical power supply for water electrolysis, and enabling agreater capacity for biomass gasification.

Certain exemplary embodiments can produce O₂ gas through waterelectrolysis in excess of the O₂ balance condition by increasing thescale of the renewable electrical power supply and/or supplying theadditional electrical power from external sources (i.e., the utilitygrid). Although designing and/or operating the overall systemsubstantially above the O₂ balance condition might increase thesynthetic hydrocarbon yields by supplying additional H₂ gas to thehydrocarbon synthesis processes, the overall system might not benefitfrom the excess O₂ gas unless the excess O₂ gas is used and/or sold foralternative applications.

The carbon balance condition can occur when the water electrolysissystem is producing enough pure H₂ gas to meet the minimum requirementfor converting approximately all of the relevant CO or CO+CO₂ producedby the overall system to synthetic hydrocarbons. The carbon balancecondition will be regarded as a general average and/or conceptualcondition instead of an exact point because the exact carbon balancepoint might be subject to relatively small changes due to weatherpatterns, system maintenance, biomass composition, and/or other relevantfactors. The carbon balance condition for certain exemplary embodimentsfocused on producing renewable natural gas can include up to 20 mol %excess H₂ gas in the synthetic natural gas composition. Certainexemplary embodiments can generally operate between the O₂ balancecondition and the carbon balance condition. CO₂ or CO need not besupplied from feed sources other than the biomass. Additional CO₂ and/orCO can be produced internally by increasing the scale of biomassgasification. Certain exemplary embodiments can separate CO₂ from othergaseous products of biomass gasification, yet not necessarily requiresequestration and/or use of this separated CO₂.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the supply of mass between the waterelectrolyzer, gasifier, and/or hydrocarbon synthesizer can control themass balance, energy balance, and/or processing rates of one or moreprocesses, components, and/or subsystems. H₂ gas produced by waterelectrolysis can be supplied to the hydrocarbon synthesizer. O₂ gasproduced by water electrolysis can be supplied to the gasifier. Fuelgas, such as gaseous streams from the hydrocarbon synthesizer that arerich in CO₂, H₂O, CO, and/or synthetic hydrocarbons, can be selectivelystored, selectively recycled to the gasifier, and/or selectivelysupplied to the genset for production of electrical power and/or heat.In certain exemplary embodiments, the relative rates of fuel gasrecycling to the gasifier and/or the relative rate of supply of fuel gasto the genset can be used to control the concentrations of N₂ and/or CO₂in the gasifier and/or hydrocarbon synthesis streams. In certainexemplary embodiments, storing and/or selectively supplying H₂O gasmight include storing H₂O in the liquid state. Streams of liquid and/orsolid hydrocarbon synthesis byproducts can be selectively stored and/orselectively recycled to the gasifier. Any of these streams can undergotemporary storage to allow one or more processes, components, and/orsubsystems to be scaled and/or operated to improve hydrocarbon synthesisproduction rates and/or costs.

Electrical power supplied from solar, wind, hydrokinetic, or otherrenewable energy sources can be variable and/or intermittent incharacter due to diurnal, weather, seasonal, and/or other effects. Incertain exemplary embodiments, solar panels can produce peaks inelectrical power production during approximately 4 to approximately 6hours near the middle of the day, can produce intermittent electricalpower due to cloud patterns, and/or be inactive overnight. In certainexemplary embodiments, the biomass gasification and/or hydrocarbonsynthesis processes, components, and/or subsystems can be used at orclose to steady conditions at rates and/or capacities that approximatetheir target performance specifications. Certain exemplary embodimentscan scale the renewable electrical power supply, water electrolysis,and/or gas storage processes, components, and/or subsystems to produceand/or store enough O₂ gas, H₂ gas, and recycled materials to enable thegasifier and/or hydrocarbon synthesizer to typically operate at or closeto steady conditions at rates and/or capacities that approximate theirnameplate and/or target performance specifications. In certain exemplaryembodiments, the mass storage and/or supply unit (e.g., mass and heatintegrator) can be designed and/or used to selectively load-level thegasifier and/or hydrocarbon synthesis processes, components, and/orsubsystems. The capacities for H₂ gas and/or O₂ gas storage can bescaled to at least 1 hour and even to the equivalent of approximately0.3 to approximately 3 days of operating requirements for the gasifierand/or fuel synthesis. Any recycle material can be selectively stored,such as via the mass and heat integrator, at a scale that can supply thegasifier for at least 1 hour of operation and even to the equivalent ofapproximately 0.3 to approximately 3 days of gasifier operation. Suchselective storage can enable the production and/or storage of H₂ and O₂gases while the gasifier is offline. Certain exemplary embodiments canbe designed and/or used so that on average the gasifier is operatingnear peak throughput for greater than 9 hours per day on averagethroughout the year for an equivalent of approximately 35% toapproximately 100% of annual capacity.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the H₂ gas can be produced atpressures of approximately 3 to approximately 100 bar through waterelectrolysis and/or stored under pressures of approximately 3 toapproximately 800 bar at scales of approximately 1,000 to approximately100,000 Nm³. In certain exemplary embodiments, a significant time delaythat can exist between recycle gas production by the downstreamhydrocarbon synthesis process and recycle gas consumption by theupstream gasifier during a startup process can be compensated with areserve of stored recycle materials. In certain exemplary embodiments,such stored reserves of recycle materials can be selectively appliedwith combustion to dry, densify, and/or preheat the biomass inpreparation for gasification.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the storage system (which can beand/or include, e.g., the heat and mass integrator) can couple theintermittent and/or variable renewable energy supply with steady stategasification and/or hydrocarbon synthesis by incorporating thermalenergy storage. In certain exemplary embodiments, a high temperature(>200° C.) water electrolysis technology, such as solid oxideelectrolysis, can be incorporated into the overall system such that theelectrolysis heat requirements are supplied from heat generated by thegasifier. In certain exemplary embodiments, the heat generated by thegasifier can be temporarily stored to enable the high temperatureelectrolysis system to operate more independently from the gasifier. Thestorage system can include a thermal energy storage system based on amolten salt, liquid metal, water, steam, air, oil, or other thermaltransfer fluid plus fluid reservoir.

In certain exemplary embodiments, electrical power can be used toseparate water into H₂ gas and O₂ gas through water electrolysis.Storage of H₂ and O₂ gases can allow for load-leveling the gasifierand/or hydrocarbon synthesis processes over the scale of hours to days.In certain exemplary embodiments, batteries, capacitors, compressed airenergy storage, and/or other technologies that store electrical poweralso can be used as a complimentary approach of energy storage. Incertain exemplary embodiments, the complimentary approach to electricalpower storage can be used to peak shave the supply of renewableelectrical power to the water electrolysis system on the scale ofminutes to hours, reduce the size of the water electrolysis system,and/or protect the water electrolysis system from rapid decreases and/orincreases in electrical power supply caused by weather. In certainexemplary embodiments, the water electrolysis system size can besignificantly reduced and/or the capacity increased by up to 60% throughpeak shaving, which can involve temporarily storing a fraction of theelectrical power produced during peak output and then applying thestored electrical power towards water electrolysis during low electricalpower output by the solar panels and/or other renewable electrical powersource. Peak shaving therefore enables the overall system to operate asmaller water electrolysis system with electrical power that is suppliedmore closely to target ratings.

The biomass can be conditioned for use with methods that can befunctionally analogous to the conditioning of power for use. Forexample, certain exemplary embodiments can include a biomass preparationprocess to dry, densify, and/or store the biomass for thermaldecomposition. The storage of biomass in the dried, densified conditioncan preserve the quality of the biomass through time, decreases thespace and/or equipment required to store the biomass, and/or increasethe effective annual capacity of biomass thermal decomposition. Incertain exemplary embodiments, the scale of hydrocarbon synthesisfacilities for producing synthetic hydrocarbons, such as synthetichydrocarbon fuel, synthetic natural gas, and/or liquidified synthetichydrocarbons can correspond to approximately 0.5 to approximately 30 MWof electrical power input and/or approximately 500 to approximately30,000 tonnes of biomass per year.

The relative scale of an applied throughput of a process, component,and/or subsystems can be described as a product of the nominal powerrating and an average operating capacity. For example, a gasifier with anominal thermochemical power throughput rating of 1.25 MW and an annualcapacity of 80% due to maintenance has an applied throughput of 1.0 MW.A water electrolysis system with a nominal electrical throughput of 2.0MW and an average capacity of 25% has an applied throughput of 0.5 MW.In certain exemplary embodiments, the applied energy throughput of thegasification component can be about 2 times larger than the appliedthroughputs of the renewable electrical power source and waterelectrolysis components for systems operated near the O₂ balancecondition according to the average applied throughout ratio relationshipof equation (11). In certain exemplary embodiments, the relative scaleof the applied throughputs of the renewable electrical power source andwater electrolysis components can increase by approximately 2 toapproximately 3 times for systems operated near the carbon balancecondition, depending on biomass input composition, synthetic hydrocarbonproduct composition, and/or other process conditions. In certainexemplary embodiments, the average applied throughput imposed by thecarbon balance condition can be described by the ratio relationship ofequation (12). Certain exemplary embodiments can be designed and/or usedwith H₂ gas, O₂ gas, and/or recycle gas storage capabilities sufficientfor applied, average operation between the ratio relationships ofequations (11) and (12).1 MW of gasifier>0.3 MW of water electrolysis and >0.0 MW of renewableelectrical power  (11)1 MW of gasifier<2.5 MW of water electrolysis and <5 MW of renewableelectrical power  (12)

Certain exemplary embodiments can include at least one apparatus,machine, system, manufacture, composition of matter, and/or methodconfigured for applying electrical power to convert biomass to synthetichydrocarbons. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of asystem 1000, for which a key can be found below.

010 Biomass 020 Renewable energy 030 Power from external source 040 Air100 Biomass Preparer 110 Prepared biomass 200 Renewable Power Generator210 Electrical power for water electrolysis 220 Electrical power forstorage 300 Biomass Thermal Decomposer 310 Thermally decomposed biomass320 Heat byproduct of thermal decomposition 400 Mass & Heat Integrator410 H₂ gas to biomass thermal decomposer 420 Electrolyzer O₂ gas tobiomass thermal decomposition 430 Recycle mass to biomass thermaldecomposition 440 Electrolyzer H₂ gas to hydrocarbon synthesis 450 Heatfor biomass preparation 460 Recycle mass to biomass preparation 470Electrolyzer O₂ gas to biomass preparation 480 Water recycle to supplywater electrolysis 500 Electrolyzer 510 Electrolyzer H₂ gas 520Electrolyzer O₂ gas 530 Heat from and/or to electrolyzer 540 O₂ gas forexternal applications 550 Makeup water supply for electrolysis 600 PowerConditioner 610 Discharged electrical power 620 Power supply toequipment 700 Syngas Cleaner 710 Cleaned syngas for synthesis 720Biochar and tar 730 Cleaned syngas for storage 800 HydrocarbonSynthesizer 810 Synthetic hydrocarbons 820 Heat from or for hydrocarbonsynthesis 830 Recycle mass 840 Combustible mass to genset 900 Genset 910Electrical Power from genset 920 Mass and heat products of genset

The Biomass Preparer 100 can prepare the particle size, density, and/ordryness of biomass feed 010 for storage prior to thermal decomposition.In certain embodiments, the biomass can be prepared and stored forapproximately 8 hours or more before thermal decomposition. The biomassparticle size can have at least one average dimension betweenapproximately 1 and approximately 10 centimeter in length, a bulkdensity of approximately 0.2 to approximately 0.9 kilogram/liter, and/ora dryness of 0 to approximately 30 weight percent. Large-particlebiomass can be chipped, shredded, ground, and/or otherwise reduced tomeet the size requirements. Small-particle and/or low-density biomasscan be densified and/or compacted into particles with equipment and/ormethods that include, but are not limited to cubing, briquetting, and/orpelletizing to meet the size and/or density requirements for thermaldecomposition. Heat 450 from the Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300,Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800, Electrolyzer 500, and/or other sources canbe used to dry and/or preheat the biomass. Gases that have oxygen gas(O₂) and/or carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) in concentrations greater thanapproximately 20 volume percent can be applied to displace the air's N₂from within and/or around the biomass so that the nitrogen gas (N₂)content of the syngas 710 produced by thermal decomposition of biomassis less than approximately 30 volume percent. In certain embodiments,combustion of recycle mass 460 originating from the HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 with air and/or O₂ gas 470 concentrated to greater thanapproximately 90 volume percent can be applied to the prepared biomass110 to preheat the biomass to temperatures greater than approximately100 degrees Celsius. In certain embodiments, the recycle mass 830 and/orcombustible mass 840 can be combusted with a Genset 900 to also produceelectrical power in addition to preparing the biomass.

Renewable energy 020 can be supplied to the Renewable Power Generator200 to produce approximately 0.1 to approximately 20 megawatts ofelectrical power. The electrical power can be generated viaphotovoltaic, solar thermal, hydrokinetic, geothermal, biological,nuclear, and/or other renewable electrical power and/or low-carbonelectrical power generation located onsite and/or offsite. The RenewablePower Generator 200 can be co-located to deliver direct current (DC)and/or alternating current (AC) electrical power to the Electrolyzer500, Power Conditioner 600, and/or other systems.

The Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 can convert the prepared biomass 110to a synthesis gas (syngas) that is predominantly composed of hydrogen(H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂) methane (CH₄), and/ornitrogen (N₂) gases. Prepared biomass 110 can be thermally decomposed byBiomass Thermal Decomposer 300 at temperatures of approximately 300 toapproximately 1,200 degrees Celsius through gasification, pyrolysis,hydrolysis, liquefaction, oxidation, reduction, cracking, and/or otherthermochemical processes. The thermally decomposed biomass 310 cancomprise syngas and/or other products of thermal decomposition, e.g.,liquids, such as tars, and/or solids, such as biochar and/or ash. Incertain embodiments, via over approximately 60 weight percent of theprepared biomass 110 can be converted to syngas 710 using temperaturesthat can reach over 750 degrees Celsius. Purified O₂ 420, air 040,and/or some combination thereof can be used to support autothermalgasification in Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300. In certain embodimentswhere synthetic natural gas is the primary product of the hydrocarbonsynthesis performed by Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800, the gasifying agentscan be composed of O₂ gas from 520, CO₂ gas from 310 and/or 830, steam(H₂O) from 830, and/or H₂ gas from 510 and/or 830, which can becontrolled to produce a syngas 710 with less than approximately 5 volumepercent N₂ and more than approximately 2 volume percent CH₄. In certainexemplary embodiments where liquifiable hydrocarbons are the primaryproduct of the hydrocarbon synthesis performed by HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800, the gasifying agent composition can produce a syngas710 with a N₂ concentration of less than approximately 30 volume percentand CH₄ concentration of less than approximately 10 volume percent. Incertain exemplary embodiments, recycle mass 430 from HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 that is routed to Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 caninclude unreacted CO, unreacted CO₂, unreacted H₂, unreacted CH₄, fuelgas products of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, oxygenated hydrocarbons withsolubilities greater than approximately 1 weight percent in water,and/or other syngas components and/or synthesized hydrocarbons that arenot monetized and/or otherwise used by the embodiment. In certainexemplary embodiments, biogas, natural gas, renewable natural gas,and/or another source of carbon can be input to Biomass ThermalDecomposer 300 in addition to or instead of biomass 110. Certainexemplary embodiments can operate Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 atapproximately steady-state input flow rates near its peak thermaldecomposition input flow rates such that its annual average capacity(e.g., annual average input flow rate) is within approximately 70 toapproximately 100 percent of its peak capacity (e.g., nameplate biomassinput flow rate). Certain exemplary embodiments can operate BiomassThermal Decomposer 300 at input flow rates that vary in response to thetemporal variation in the availability of renewable energy and/orbiomass 010 such that annual average capacity (e.g., average annualinput flow rate) of Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 is withinapproximately 20 to approximately 70 percent of its peak capacity (e.g.,nameplate biomass input flow rate). Heat produced by the biomass thermaldecomposition process and/or Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 can be usedfor preheating the syngas 710 for hydrocarbon synthesizer 800, dryingand/or preheating the biomass 110, and/or supplying thermal energy toElectrolyzer 500 that can operate at temperatures above approximately200 degrees Celsius in certain embodiments.

Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can enable relatively small scales ofhydrocarbon synthesis from biomass 010 (e.g., less than approximately20,000 tonnes of biomass 010 consumed per year and/or less thanapproximately 10,000 tonnes of synthesized hydrocarbons 810 produced peryear), which can allow system 1000 to respond and/or adapt tooperational factors with greater speed, efficiency, and/or flexibility.Biomass Preparer 100, Renewable Power Generator 200, Biomass ThermalDecomposer 300, Electrolyzer 500, Power Conditioner 600, Syngas Cleaner700, and/or Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800 can operate independently and/orcodependently in response to prepared biomass 110 production, renewableelectrical power supply, weather, market factors, policy factors,maintenance, operator control, etc.

Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can provide the control, storage, and/ortransfer of gases, liquids, solids, and/or heat between the subsystemsand/or processes of system 1000. Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can storeenough electrolyzer H₂ gas 510 to operate Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800 atapproximately 60 to approximately 100 percent peak capacity rate (e.g.,hydrocarbon synthesizer nameplate hydrocarbon output flow rate) for upto 100 hours in certain embodiments. Mass & Heat Integrator 400 canstore enough electrolyzer O₂ gas 520 to operate Biomass ThermalDecomposer 300 at approximately 60 to approximately 100 percent peakcapacity rate (e.g., biomass thermal decomposer nameplate biomass inputflow rate) for up to 100 hours in certain embodiments. In certainembodiments, the electrical power supply of the utility grid can be peakshaved by storing electrolyzer H₂ gas 510 and electrolyzer O₂ gas 520during times of low cost and/or surplus electrical power available fromexternal sources 030. Mass & Heat Integrator can store enough cleanedsyngas 730 to operate Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800 at approximately 60 toapproximately 100 percent peak capacity rate (e.g., nameplatehydrocarbon output flow rate) for up to approximately 100 hours incertain embodiments. Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can store enough H₂Oproduced through fuel synthesis 830 to operate the Electrolyzer 500 atapproximately 60 to approximately 100 percent peak capacity rate (e.g.,nameplate electrical power consumption rate) or higher for up toapproximately 100 hours in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments,Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can store at least approximately 20 weightpercent of the H₂, CO, CO₂, and/or hydrocarbons 830 that would exitHydrocarbon Synthesizer 800 during 1 hour at its peak hydrocarbonsynthesis rate (e.g., nameplate hydrocarbon output flow rate) forrecycling to Biomass Preparer 100, Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300,Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800, and/or Genset 900.

In certain embodiments, Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can store enoughthermal energy 320/820 produced by Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 and/orHydrocarbon Synthesizer 800 to operate Electrolyzer 500 at temperaturesgreater than approximately 200 degrees Celsius at its peak capacity(e.g., electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate) forover approximately 1 hour. The thermal energy can be stored and/ortransported as heated water, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol,glycol-based fluid, oil, synthetic hydrocarbon-based and/orsilicone-based fluid, molten salt, liquid metal, gas, and/or other heattransfer fluid in containers such as tanks, pressure vessels, and/orpiping, etc., any of which containers can be sufficiently thermallyinsulated to substantially reduce heat and/or energy losses from theheat transfer fluid. Mass & Heat Integrator 400 can store enough O₂ gas470 and/or recycle mass 460 to operate the Biomass Preparer 100 for atleast approximately 0.5 hours at its peak preparation rates (e.g.,nameplate biomass input flow rate) in certain embodiments. Mass & HeatIntegrator 400 can include software, controllers/process controlcomputers, user interfaces, storage containers, piping, pumps, mixers,automatic and/or manual valves, heat exchangers, pressure regulators,instrumentation, and/or other components and/or capabilities thatsupport overall system integration, control, operation, performance,and/or management.

Electrolyzer 500 can convert electrical energy (e.g., 610) into chemicalenergy through the electrolysis of water to electrolyzer H₂ gas 510 andelectrolyzer O₂ gas 520. Heat 530 can be produced by the operation ofElectrolyzer 500 in certain exemplary embodiments that utilize protonexchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, alkaline electrolyzers, and/orother technology that electrolyzes water at temperatures belowapproximately 200 degrees Celsius. The heat produced by waterelectrolysis can be used to heat electrolyzer O₂ gas 520 and/orelectrolyzer H₂ gas 510. Heat 530 alternatively can be consumed byelectrolysis in certain embodiments that operate an Electrolyzer 500that utilizes solid oxide electrolytic cells and/or other technologythat electrolyzes water at temperatures above approximately 200 degreesCelsius. Assuming a higher heating value of approximately 16 megajoulesper kilogram of prepared biomass 110 and approximately 142 megajoulesper kilogram of electrolyzer H₂ gas 510, then electrolyzer H₂ gas 510can be produced at annual average rates of approximately 0 toapproximately 350 percent of the rate of biomass thermal decompositionof biomass 110 to syngas 310 in certain embodiments where gaseoussynthetic hydrocarbons 810, such as methane, ethane, and/or alkenes arethe primary products of Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800. Electrolyzer H₂ gas510 can be produced at annual average rates of approximately 0 toapproximately 250 percent of the rate of biomass thermal decompositionof biomass 110 to syngas 310 in certain embodiments where liquifiablesynthetic hydrocarbons are the primary products of HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800. Electrolyzer O₂ gas 520 can be produced at rates ofapproximately 0.1 to approximately 0.8 tonne O₂ per 1 tonne of biomass110 converted to syngas 310 in certain exemplary embodiments. Certainexemplary embodiments can operate Electrolyzer 500 near its peakelectrolysis rate (e.g., electrolyzer nameplate electrical powerconsumption rate) such that annual average capacity (e.g., annualaverage electrolyzer electrical power consumption rate) is withinapproximately 70 to approximately 100 percent of its maximum annualcapacity (e.g., electrolyzer maximum annual power consumption rate).Certain other embodiments can operate Electrolyzer 500 at rates thatvary in response to the temporal variation in renewable energy 010 suchthat its annual average capacity (e.g., annual average electrolyzerelectrical power consumption rate) is within approximately 20 toapproximately 70 percent of its maximum annual capacity (e.g., maximumannual electrolyzer electrical power consumption rate). Electrolyzer H₂gas 510 and electrolyzer O₂ gas 520 can be produced at pressures greaterthan approximately 4 bar in certain exemplary embodiments and greaterthan approximately 25 bar in certain other exemplary embodiments.

Power Conditioner 600 can enable a more steady supply of electricalpower 610 to Electrolyzer 500 than unconditioned electrical powersupplied directly from Renewable Power Generator 200. In certainexemplary embodiments, the electrical power requirements of system 1000can be supplied by the source of renewable energy 020. Yet renewableenergy 020 can have intermittent and/or variable character. For example,on a daily basis, a Renewable Power Generator 200 comprised ofphotovoltaic solar electrical power generation can produce up toapproximately 7 hours of electrical power output near peak capacity nearmidday, have rapid decreases in electrical power output due to scatteredcloud effects, and/or produce almost no electrical power for more thanapproximately 12 hours (e.g., overnight). In certain embodiments, PowerConditioner 600 can supply additional electrical power 030 from anexternal source, such as the utility grid, to stabilize the electricalpower 610 supplied to Electrolyzer 500 if weather effects causeincreases or decreases in electrical power supply rates that exceed theelectrolyzer manufacturer's specified rates for changing electrolysisrates. In certain embodiments where the annual average Electrolyzer 500capacity (e.g., annual average electrolyzer electrical power consumptionrate) is approximately 20 to approximately 70 percent of its peakcapacity (e.g., electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumptionrate), Power Conditioner 600 can store electrical power throughbatteries, capacitors, compressed air energy storage, and/or otherelectrical energy storage technologies to peak shave the renewableenergy supply 020 over approximately 0 to approximately 6 hours. Peakshaving the renewable electrical power supply 210 to the Electrolyzer500 can enable an approximate 0 to approximately 60 percent reduction inits capacity (e.g., electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumptionrate) by lowering the maximum supply of electrical power to Electrolyzer500 and/or increasing the duration of electrolysis. In certainembodiments, Power Conditioner 600 can supply additional electricalpower from the utility grid and/or other external power source 030 tothe renewable electrical power 210 so that the annual averageElectrolyzer 500 capacity (e.g., average annual electrolyzer electricalpower consumption rate) is approximately 70 to approximately 100 percentof its maximum annual capacity (e.g., electrolyzer nameplate electricalpower consumption rate). In certain embodiments, both peak shaving withelectrical power storage and additional electrical power supply fromexternal sources can be used to increase annual average electrolysisrates. In certain exemplary embodiments, all of the electrical powerprovided to system 1000 can be supplied by the external electrical powersource 030. In certain exemplary embodiments, Power Conditioner 600 canpeak shave the utility grid by storing low-cost and/or surpluselectricity 030 from external electrical power source. Power Conditioner600 can include rectifiers, inverters, capacitors, inductors,transformers, and/or other equipment for controlling current, voltage,phase, and/or conversions between the AC and/or DC electrical powerproperties required for the various equipment, modules, machines,processes, systems, and/or other aspects of system 1000. In certainexemplary embodiments, Power Conditioner 600 can include electricalpower storage to ensure safe and/or efficient operation of system 1000and/or any of its components, subsystems, and/or processes in the eventthat the supply of external electrical power 030 fails to meetcorresponding operational requirements.

Syngas Cleaner 700 can remove biomass thermal decomposition byproducts320 that can decrease the performance of converting syngas 710 tosynthetic hydrocarbons 810. Biomass thermal decomposition byproducts 720that can be removed by Syngas Cleaner 700 can include biochar, ash,and/or other solids, tar and/or other liquids, nitrogenous compounds,sulfur compounds, separable minerals, materials that can poison thehydrocarbon synthesis catalysts, and/or materials that can otherwiseadversely affect the hydrocarbon synthesis process. Syngas 310 can becleaned for hydrocarbon synthesis through condensation, precipitation,filtration, absorption, adsorption, membranes, and/or other separationtechnologies. A biomass thermal decomposition byproduct 720 can be usedas a soil amendment, fertilizer, and/or other agricultural and/orindustrial application.

Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800 can produce synthetic hydrocarbons 810 fromsyngas 710. Electrolyzer H₂ gas 440 can be supplied directly and/orindirectly (e.g., via Mass and Heat Integrator 400) to HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 to increase yields of synthetic hydrocarbons 810 in anexemplary embodiment. The ratio of H₂ to CO provided to HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 can be changed through selective catalysis of the watergas shift and/or reverse water gas shift reaction to increase yields ofsynthetic hydrocarbons 810 in certain embodiments. HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 can selectively catalyze the synthesis of methane,methanol, Fischer-Tropsch syncrude, and/or other initial synthetichydrocarbons 810. The initial synthetic hydrocarbons 810 can be soldand/or used as is, purified, separated, refined, and/or converted toother synthetic hydrocarbons 810. For example, in certain embodiments,methanol can be converted to dimethyl ether and/or gasoline. In certainembodiments, Fischer-Tropsch syncrude can be separated and/or refined togases, liquified petroleum gases (LPG), gasoline, jet fuel, diesel,heating oil, lubricant oil, wax, and/or other synthetic hydrocarbons.Syncrude and/or syncrude fractions can be cracked, polymerized,oligomerized, and/or converted via other refining processes onsiteand/or offsite to produce higher value synthetic hydrocarbons in certainembodiments. For example, non-diesel components can be converted todiesel, non-jet fuel components can be converted to jet fuel,non-gasoline components can be converted to gasoline, etc. In certainexemplary embodiments, synthetic hydrocarbons 810 can be blended,finished, and/or otherwise prepared for use and/or transportation.Recycle mass 830 and/or heat 820 produced by Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800can be recycled to other processes in system 1000 by transfer to Mass &Heat Integrator 400. Recycled mass 820 can include H₂, CO, CO₂, H₂O,and/or synthetic hydrocarbons in certain embodiments. HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 can supply combustible mass 840, such as fuel gasesand/or liquids, to Genset 900 for production of electrical power 910and/or heat 920. Since the N₂ and CO₂ are generally inert during thesynthetic hydrocarbon synthesis processes, their individual and/orcombined concentrations can be used to control the production of heatand therefore reaction temperatures during synthetic hydrocarbonsynthesis. System 1000 can be designed and used to keep the N₂ and/orCO₂ concentrations within the design and/or operational specificationsof Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800.

Genset 900 can generate electrical power 910 from recycle mass 830and/or combustible mass 840 received from Hydrocarbon Synthesizer 800.Electricity 910 can be generated by an internal combustion engine-drivengenerator, turbine-driven generator, fuel cell, combined cyclegenerator, and/or other electrical power generation system. In certainexemplary embodiments, gaseous mass and/or heat 920 created via genset920 can be recycled to Mass & Heat Integrator 400.

System 1000 can consume 0 to 20,000 tonnes of biomass 010 per year tosynthesize 0 to 10,000 tonnes of synthetic hydrocarbons 810 per year.System 1000 can be scaled using one and/or more individual, modular,containerized, pallet-carried, and/or skid-mounted sub-systems. Each ofthe sub-systems can include balance of plant capabilities, beconstructed off-site, be transported to the site in standardizedshipping containers, and/or integrated with standardized, turn-key,installation methods. In certain exemplary embodiments, the value of thecapital equipment manufactured off-site can be greater thanapproximately 60 percent of the total overall manufacturingfixed-capital investment in certain exemplary embodiments and greaterthan approximately 70 percent. In certain exemplary embodiments, PowerConditioner 600 can include approximately 0 to approximately 20standard, premanufactured, battery modules that each: can be rated toproduce approximately 0 to approximately 2 megawatts of electricalpower; and/or can include balance of plant capabilities than can includeelectrical power converters, temperature regulation, and/or electroniccontrol, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, Electrolyzer 500 cancomprise approximately 1 to approximately 20 standard, premanufactured,electrolysis modules that each: can be rated to consume approximately 0to approximately 5 megawatts of electrical power; can be rated toproduce approximately 0 to approximately 1,000 normal meters cubed of H₂gas per hour; and/or can include balance of plant capabilities that caninclude electrical power rectifiers, water purification systems, gaspurification systems, temperature control systems, and/or electronicprocess control systems. In certain exemplary embodiments, BiomassThermal Decomposer 300 can comprise approximately 1 to approximately 20standard, premanufactured, biomass thermal decomposition modules thateach: can process approximately 0 to approximately 10 tonnes of inputbiomass 010 per day, can process approximately 0 to approximately 3megawatts of biomass energy, and/or can be electronically controlled. Incertain exemplary embodiments, Syngas Cleaner 700 can compriseapproximately 1 to approximately 20 standard, premanufactured, syngascleaning modules that each can be rated to produce approximately 0 toapproximately 10 tonnes of cleaned syngas 720 per day. HydrocarbonSynthesizer 800 can comprise approximately 1 to approximately 20standard, premanufactured, hydrocarbon synthesizer modules that each:can be rated to produce approximately 0 to approximately 5 tonnes perday of diesel, gasoline, and/or other synthetic hydrocarbon products;can include hydrocarbon separation and/or refinement capabilities;and/or can be electronically controlled in certain embodiments. Thenumber, types, and/or operational methods of modules can be changed overtime to adapt to changes in biomass availability, resource availability,market factors, policy, and/or other factors that affect operation.

An exemplary embodiment composed of presently commercially availableproducts can comprise a 1.8 megawatt generating photovoltaic array, abattery module rated for delivering 1 megawatt of electrical power over4 hours (e.g., GE RSU-4000, Symtech Solar Megatron 1MW, EVESCOES-10001000), a biomass densifier module capable of cubing 2 to 20tonnes of biomass per hour (e.g., Warren&Baerg 200HD cuber), anautomated biomass delivery module, a 1 megawatt-consuming PEMelectrolyzer module (e.g., Siemens Silyzer 200, Cummins HyLYZER 200,H-TEC ME450, NEL MC250), a 0.6 megawatt-processing thermal biomassgasifier module (e.g., Proton Power ChyP, All Power Pallet, SyntechBioMax, Reset SyngaSmart, RE² HKA 600), a 0.6 megawatt-processingthermal syngas cleaner module, 2 modules of a 0.3 tonnes of dieselproduction per day synthesizer (e.g., Ineratec Modular Chemical Plant,Compact GTL, OxEon Fischer Tropsch Reactor, T2C TriFTS), an air receivertank with a 15,000 gallon water storage volume and 150 pounds per squareinch pressure rating for O₂ gas storage, a module of 8 Type IV tankseach with a 7 meter cubed volume and rated for 275 bar of pressure forH₂ gas storage, and a 1,000 gallon water storage tank (e.g., CatecCT-0853, Hexagon TitanXL). Such an exemplary embodiment can be operatedsuch that 1.8 megawatts of electrical power produced over 5 hours perday by the photovoltaic array can be peak shaved by the battery moduleto 1.0 megawatts of electrical power over 9 hours per day, the 1.0megawatt PEM electrolyzer can be operated at 1.0 megawatts over 9 hoursper day, the 9 hours of electrolysis can produce enough electrolyzer H₂gas and electrolyzer O₂ gas to operate the gasifier, syngas cleaner, anddiesel synthesizers near peak capacity over 24 hours per day, the H₂ gasand O₂ gas tanks can be used to peak shave the 9 hours per day of H₂ andO₂ gas production via electrolysis with another 15 hours of H₂ and O₂gas storage for 24 hours of peak gasification and hydrocarbon synthesisrates, and the water tank can store enough water produced from 24 hoursof fuel synthesis to supply 9 hours of water electrolysis. Such anexemplary embodiment can convert about 1,000 tonnes of biomass per yearinto approximately 100,000 gallons of diesel per year.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000.Referring to FIG. 2 and/or the below table of activities, at activity2010, biomass feed can be provided. At activity 2020, provided biomasscan be prepared and/or stored for thermal decomposition throughdensification, drying, etc. At activity 2110, the thermal decompositionprocess can be turned off because prepared biomass and/or purified O₂are not available. At activity 2120, prepared biomass can be thermallydecomposed. At activity 2210, the prepared biomass can be thermallydecomposed with the addition of air to meet the oxygen demand becausethe supply of purified O₂ alone is insufficient. At activity 2220, theprepared biomass can be thermally decomposed with purified 02. Atactivity 2310, the hydrocarbon synthesis process can be turned offbecause the supply of H₂ is insufficient. At activity 2320, synthetichydrocarbons can be synthesized without the addition of H₂. At activity2330, synthetic hydrocarbons can be synthesized with the addition of H₂.At activity 2410, synthesized hydrocarbons (e.g., fuel) can be storedonsite until distribution. At activity 2420, water coproduced bysynthetic hydrocarbon synthesis can be sent directly to the electrolyzerand/or stored for water electrolysis. At activity 2510, the recycleprocess can be turned off because recycle mass is insufficientlyavailable. At activity 2520, some or all of the recycle mass can besupplied to the thermal decomposition process. At activity 2530, some orall of the recycle mass can be stored. At activity 2550, some or all ofthe recycle mass can be supplied to the genset. At activity 2610,electrical power can be produced by the genset. At activity 2710,electricity from the onsite, renewable power supply and/or utility gridcan be stored. At activity 2720, water electrolysis can be electricallypowered by the available electricity and/or stored electrical power. Atactivity 2730, the water electrolysis process can be turned off. Atactivity 2810, useful heat can be stored for use at a later time. Atactivity 2810, the electrolyzer H₂ and/or electrolyzer O₂ can be storedfor use at a later time. At activity 2820, electrolyzer O₂ can be sentto the thermal decomposer. At activity 2830, electrolyzer H₂ can be sentto the hydrocarbon synthesizer. At activity 2910, useful heat from anyonsite source can be stored for use at a later time. At activity 2920,useful heat can be provided, such as via a heat exchanger, from anysource (thermal decomposition, fuel synthesis, electrolysis, etc.) toany application (electrolysis, biomass, recycle mass, etc.). At activity2930, useful heat can be discarded.

2010 Procure biomass 2020 Prepare biomass for thermal decomposition 2110Turn on thermal decomposition 2120 Thermally decompose biomass 2210Thermally decompose biomass with air 2220 Thermally decompose biomasswith purified O₂ 2310 Turn off hydrocarbon synthesis 2320 Synthesizehydrocarbons without H₂ 2330 Synthesize hydrocarbons with H₂ 2410 Storehydrocarbon products 2420 Recycle and/or store water for electrolysis2510 Turn off mass recycle 2520 Recycle mass to thermal decomposition2530 Store recycle mass 2540 Recycle mass to genset 2610 Generateelectrical power 2710 Store electrical power 2720 Electrolyze water 2810Store H₂ and/or O₂ gases 2820 Send O₂ to thermal decomposition 2830 SendH₂ to hydrocarbon synthesis 2910 Store heat 2920 Exchange heat 2930Waste heat

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 3000,which can comprise a process control system. To describe certainexemplary embodiments of system 3000, in FIG. 3 (and the accompanyingtable below), a corresponding controller has been assigned for each ofthe nine blocks (which can comprise one or more devices, machines,apparatuses, subsystems, unit operations, and/or premanufacturedmodules) of system 1000 of FIG. 1 . Some, most, and/or all of the FIG. 1blocks can have its own controller as each of the blocks of FIG. 1 canbe procured with its own control system. One controller can control morethan one block in certain embodiments. For example, the Biomass ThermalDecomposer Controller 3130 can collectively control the Biomass ThermalDecomposer 300, Biomass Preparer 100, and the Syngas Cleaner 700 incertain embodiments. As another example, the Power ConditionerController 3160 can collectively control the Power Conditioner 600,Renewable Power Generator 200, and Genset 900 in certain embodiments.One or more of the controller blocks in FIG. 3 can encompass more thanone controller in some embodiments. For example, system 1000 can includethree Biomass Thermal Decomposer 300 modules and each module can includeits own controller. The controllers 3110-3190 can perform actions basedon the signals and/or inputs 3010-3090 received from and/or based onoperator inputs, weight sensors, optical sensors, pressure sensors,temperature sensors, gas composition sensors, mass flow sensors,volumetric sensors, and/or inputs from the Onsite Controller 3300. TheOnsite Controller can communicate directly 3210 with one or more ofblock controllers 3110-3190. In certain embodiments, the OnsiteController 3300 can communicate 3310 with one or more Mobile Controllers3400 to enable mobile process monitoring and/or control by the operator.The Onsite Controller 3300 can communicate 3320 with an OffsiteController 3500. The Offsite Controller 3500 can be located at a localand/or regional facility. The Offsite Controller 3500 can enable offsiteoperators to monitor and/or operate one or more system 1000 s. TheOffsite Controller 3500 can store 3510 information regarding theoperation and/or performance of the System 1000 in an Offsite Database3600. Advancements and/or optimizations with respect to operation and/orperformance can be developed from the data compiled in the OffsiteDatabase for distribution 3320 back to the Onsite Controller 3300 fromthe Offsite Controller 3500.

3010 Inputs to Biomass Preparer controller 3020 Inputs to RenewablePower Generator controller 3030 Inputs to Biomass Thermal Decomposercontroller 3040 Inputs to Mass & Heat Integrator controller 3050 Inputsto Electrolyzer controller 3060 Inputs to Power Conditioner controller3070 Inputs to Syngas Cleaner controller 3080 Inputs to HydrocarbonSynthesizer controller 3090 Inputs to Genset controller 3110 BiomassPreparer controller 3120 Renewable Power Generator controller 3130Biomass Thermal Decomposer controller 3140 Mass & Heat Integratorcontroller 3150 Electrolyzer controller 3160 Power Conditionercontroller 3170 Syngas Cleaner controller 3180 Hydrocarbon Synthesizercontroller 3190 Genset controller 3210 Communication with OnsiteController 3300 Onsite Controller 3310 Communication with MobileController 3320 Communication with Offsite Controller 3400 MobileController 3500 Offsite Controller 3510 Communication with OffsiteDatabase 3600 Offsite Database

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 4000. Atactivity 4100, a received biomass can be prepared (e.g., filtered,changed, and/or stored). At activity 4200, the prepared biomass can beconverted to synthesis gas (“syngas”). At activity 4300, the syngas canbe cleaned. At activity 4400, water can be electrolyzed into hydrogengas and oxygen gas. At activity 4500, synthetic hydrocarbons can besynthesized from the (potentially cleaned) syngas and/or hydrogen gas.At activity 4600, electrical power can be stored. At activity 4700,received biomass, prepared biomass, syngas, cleaned syngas, water,hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, thermal energy, and/or heat can be stored. Atactivity 4800, hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxide,hydrocarbons, and/or oxygenated hydrocarbons received from thehydrocarbon synthesizer can be provided to the biomass thermaldecomposer. At activity 4900, exhaust heat and/or exhaust gas from theelectrical power generator can be provided and/or applied to theprepared biomass.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an informationdevice 5000, which in certain operative embodiments can comprise, forexample, a server, user information device, controller, etc. Informationdevice 5000 can comprise any of numerous transform circuits, which canbe formed via any of numerous communicatively-, electrically-,magnetically-, optically-, fluidically-, and/or mechanically-coupledphysical components, such as for example, one or more network interfaces5100, one or more processors 5200, one or more memories 5300 containinginstructions 5400, one or more input/output (I/O) devices 5500, and/orone or more user interfaces 5600 coupled to I/O device 5500, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments, via one or more user interfaces 5600,such as a graphical user interface, a user can view a rendering ofinformation related to researching, designing, modeling, creating,developing, making, building, manufacturing, assembling, operating,performing, using, modifying, maintaining, repairing, storing,marketing, offering for sale, selling, importing, exporting,distributing, delivering, selecting, specifying, requesting, ordering,buying, receiving, returning, rating, and/or recommending any of theblocks, systems, assemblies, components, devices, services, methods,user interfaces, and/or information described herein.

Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system configured forconverting biomass to synthetic hydrocarbons, the system comprising:

-   -   a biomass preparer configured to:        -   filter and/or change a particle size, density, and/or            dryness of a received biomass provided to the biomass            preparer sufficiently for a resulting prepared biomass to            have, on average, a maximum dimension between approximately            1 and approximately 10 centimeter, a bulk density between            approximately 0.2 and approximately 0.9 kilogram/liter,            and/or a dryness between 0 and approximately 30 weight            percent; and/or        -   store a volume of prepared biomass sufficient to operate the            biomass thermal decomposer for at least 4 hours at            approximately a biomass thermal decomposer nameplate biomass            input flow rate;    -   a biomass thermal decomposer configured to convert the prepared        biomass to a synthesis gas;    -   a synthesis gas cleaner configured to produce cleaned synthesis        gas by removing biomass thermal decomposition byproducts from        the synthesis gas;    -   an electrolyzer configured to electrolyze water into        electrolyzer hydrogen gas (H₂) and electrolyzer oxygen gas (O₂);    -   a hydrocarbon synthesizer configured to produce synthetic        hydrocarbons from the cleaned synthesis gas and the electrolyzer        hydrogen gas;    -   an electrical power conditioner configured to store sufficient        electrical power selectively received from an electrical power        generator and/or an external electrical power source to        electrically power:        -   the electrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to            approximately 100 percent of an electrolyzer nameplate            electrical power consumption rate for at least 0.5 hours;            and/or        -   the system at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100            percent of a system nameplate synthetic hydrocarbon output            flow rate for at least 0.5 hours;    -   a mass and heat integrator configured to store sufficient        electrolyzer hydrogen gas to operate the hydrocarbon synthesizer        at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100 percent of a        hydrocarbon synthesizer nameplate synthetic hydrocarbon output        flow rate for at least 0.5 hours; and/or    -   the electrical power generator;    -   wherein:        -   the electrical power generator is configured to supply            sufficient exhaust heat to heat the prepared biomass to at            least 45 degrees Celsius;        -   the electrical power generator is configured to supply            sufficient exhaust gas to decrease a concentration of the            nitrogen (N₂) in the prepared biomass to less than 75 volume            percent;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to store            sufficient electrolyzer oxygen gas for the biomass thermal            decomposer to produce the synthetic gas with a nitrogen (N₂)            concentration of less than 20 volume percent at the biomass            thermal decomposer nameplate biomass input flow rate for at            least 0.5 hours;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to selectively            provide electrolyzer hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide, carbon            monoxide, and/or synthetic hydrocarbons to the biomass            thermal decomposer;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to preheat the            electrolyzer oxygen gas to at least 45 degrees Celsius and            supply preheated electrolyzer oxygen gas to the biomass            thermal decomposer;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to preheat            recycle biomass to at least 45 degrees Celsius and to supply            the preheated recycle biomass to the biomass thermal            decomposer;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to provide water            received from the hydrocarbon synthesizer to the            electrolyzer;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to store            sufficient water to operate the electrolyzer at            approximately 20 percent to approximately 100 percent of the            electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate for            at least 0.5 hours;        -   the mass and heat integrator is configured to store at least            10 kilowatt hours of hydrocarbon synthesis mass byproducts;        -   the system is configured to control a ratio of hydrogen (H₂)            to carbon monoxide (CO) in the synthesis gas to within a            range of approximately 1.3 to approximately 2.7;        -   the electrical power conditioner is configured to store            sufficient electrical power to operate the electrolyzer at            approximately 100 percent of the electrolyzer nameplate            electrical power consumption rate for at least 1 hour;        -   the electrical power generator, wherein the system is            configured to store sufficient prepared biomass, sufficient            electrical power, and sufficient electrolyzer hydrogen gas            to operate:            -   the biomass thermal decomposer at approximately 70                percent to approximately 100 percent of the biomass                thermal decomposer nameplate biomass input flow rate                over a 2 hour period using electrical power received                from only the electrical power generator; and/or            -   the hydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 70 percent                to approximately 100 percent of the hydrocarbon                synthesizer nameplate synthetic hydrocarbon output flow                rate over a 2 hour period using electrical power                received from only the electrical power generator;        -   the electrolyzer is a solid oxide electrolysis cell and the            mass and heat integrator is configured to store sufficient            thermal energy to operate the electrolyzer at approximately            20 percent to approximately 100 percent of the electrolyzer            nameplate electrical power consumption rate for at least 0.5            hours; and/or        -   the system is configured to be at least partially controlled            via an offsite controller.

Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method for convertingbiomass to synthetic hydrocarbons, the method comprising:

-   -   via a biomass preparer:        -   filtering and/or changing a particle size, density, and/or            dryness of a received biomass provided to the biomass            preparer sufficiently for a resulting prepared biomass to            have, on average, a maximum dimension between approximately            1 and approximately 10 centimeter, a bulk density between            approximately 0.2 and approximately 0.9 kilogram/liter,            and/or a dryness between 0 and approximately 30 weight            percent; and/or        -   storing a volume of prepared biomass sufficient to operate            the biomass thermal decomposer for at least 4 hours at            approximately a biomass thermal decomposer nameplate biomass            input flow rate;    -   via a biomass thermal decomposer, converting the prepared        biomass to a synthesis gas;    -   via a synthesis gas cleaner, producing cleaned synthesis gas by        removing biomass thermal decomposition byproducts from the        synthesis gas;    -   via an electrolyzer, electrolyzing water into electrolyzer        hydrogen gas (H₂) and electrolyzer oxygen gas (O₂);    -   via a hydrocarbon synthesizer, producing synthetic hydrocarbons        from the cleaned synthesis gas and the electrolyzer hydrogen        gas;    -   via an electrical power conditioner, storing sufficient        electrical power selectively received from an electrical power        generator and/or an external electrical power source to        electrically power:        -   the electrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to            approximately 100 percent of an electrolyzer nameplate            electrical power consumption rate for at least 0.5 hours;            and/or        -   the system at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100            percent of a system nameplate hydrocarbon output flow rate            for at least 0.5 hours;    -   via a mass and heat integrator, storing sufficient electrolyzer        hydrogen gas provided by the electrolyzer to operate the        hydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 20 percent to        approximately 100 percent of a hydrocarbon synthesizer nameplate        synthetic hydrocarbon output flow rate for at least 0.5 hours;    -   via the mass and heat integrator, storing sufficient        electrolyzer oxygen gas for the biomass thermal decomposer to        produce the synthetic gas with a nitrogen (N₂) gas concentration        of less than 20 volume percent at the biomass thermal decomposer        nameplate biomass input flow rate for at least 0.5 hours;    -   via the mass and heat integrator, selectively providing hydrogen        gas, carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxide, and/or synthetic        hydrocarbons to the biomass thermal decomposer;    -   supplying sufficient exhaust heat from the electrical power        generator to heat the prepared biomass to at least 45 degrees        Celsius;    -   supplying sufficient exhaust gas from the electrical power        generator to decrease the concentration of nitrogen (N₂) in the        prepared biomass to less than 75 volume percent;    -   preheating the electrolyzer oxygen to at least 45 degrees        Celsius and supplying the preheated electrolyzer oxygen gas to        the biomass thermal decomposer;    -   preheating recycle biomass to at least 45 degrees Celsius and        supplying the preheated recycle biomass to the biomass thermal        decomposer;    -   providing water received from the hydrocarbon synthesizer to the        electrolyzer.    -   via the mass and heat integrator, storing sufficient water to        operate the electrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to        approximately 100 percent of the electrolyzer nameplate        electrical power consumption rate for at least 0.5 hours;    -   via the mass and heat integrator, storing at least 10 kilowatt        hours of hydrocarbon synthesis mass byproducts;    -   controlling a ratio of hydrogen (H₂) to carbon monoxide (CO) in        the synthesis gas to within a range of approximately 1.3 to        approximately 2.7;    -   via the electrical power conditioner, storing sufficient        electrical power to operate the electrolyzer at approximately        100 percent of the electrolyzer nameplate electrical power        consumption rate for at least 1 hour;    -   storing sufficient prepared biomass, sufficient electrical        power, and sufficient electrolyzer hydrogen gas to operate:        -   the biomass thermal decomposer at approximately 70 percent            to approximately 100 percent of the biomass thermal            decomposer nameplate biomass input flow rate over a 2 hour            period using electrical power received from only the            electrical power generator; and/or        -   the hydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 70 percent to            approximately 100 percent of the hydrocarbon synthesizer            nameplate synthetic hydrocarbon output flow rate over a 2            hour period using electrical power from only the electrical            power generator;    -   via the mass and heat integrator, storing sufficient thermal        energy to operate the electrolyzer at approximately 20 percent        to approximately 100 percent of the electrolyzer nameplate        electrical power consumption rate for at least 0.5 hours,        wherein the electrolyzer is a solid oxide electrolysis cell;        and/or    -   at least partially controlling operation of the system via an        offsite controller.

Definitions

When the following phrases are used substantively herein, theaccompanying definitions apply. These phrases and definitions arepresented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, theright to redefine these phrases via amendment during the prosecution ofthis application or any application claiming priority hereto isreserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent thatclaims priority hereto, each definition in that patent functions as aclear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of thatdefinition.

-   -   a—at least one.    -   about—around and/or approximately.    -   above—at a higher level.    -   acid—a compound capable of neutralizing alkalis and reddening        blue litmus paper, containing hydrogen that can be replaced by a        metal or an electropositive group to form a salt, or containing        an atom that can accept a pair of electrons from a base. Acids        are proton donors that yield hydronium ions in water solution,        or electron-pair acceptors that combine with electron-pair        donors or bases.    -   across—from one side to another.    -   activity—an action, act, step, and/or process or portion        thereof.    -   adapt—to design, make, set up, arrange, shape, configure, and/or        make suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose, function, use,        and/or situation.    -   adapter—a device used to effect operative compatibility between        different parts of one or more pieces of an apparatus or system.    -   after—following in time and/or subsequent to.    -   air—the earth's atmospheric gas.    -   along—through, on, beside, over, in line with, and/or parallel        to the length and/or direction of; and/or from one end to the        other of    -   anaerobic—a condition where molecular oxygen is substantially        absent.    -   and—in conjunction with.    -   and/or—either in conjunction with or in alternative to.    -   any—one, some, every, and/or all without specification.    -   apparatus—an appliance or device for a particular purpose.    -   approximately—about and/or nearly the same as.    -   around—about, surrounding, and/or on substantially all sides of;        and/or approximately.    -   as long as—if and/or since.    -   as-built drawings—the revised sets of drawings marked-up by the        manufacturer or contractor preparing a facility, piece of        equipment, or project that report all changes made during the        preparation process that describe deviation between the original        design and what was actually built.    -   associate—to join, connect together, and/or relate.    -   at—in, on, and/or near.    -   at least—not less than, and possibly more than.    -   automatic—performed via an information device in a manner        essentially independent of influence and/or control by a user.        For example, an automatic light switch can turn on upon “seeing”        a person in its “view”, without the person manually operating        the light switch.    -   average—a value obtained by dividing the sum of a set of        quantities by the number of quantities in a set and/or an        approximation of a statistical expected value.    -   axis—a straight line about which a body and/or geometric object        rotates and/or can be conceived to rotate and/or a center line        to which parts of a structure and/or body can be referred.    -   balance of plant—all the supporting components and auxiliary        systems of a power plant and/or power module needed to deliver        energy, other than the generating unit itself. These supporting        components and/or auxiliary systems can include transformers,        inverters, switching and control equipment, protection        equipment, power conditioners, supporting structures etc.,        depending on the type of plant or module.    -   based on—indicating one or more factors that affect a        determination, but not necessarily foreclosing additional        factors that might affect that determination.    -   between—in a separating interval and/or intermediate to.    -   biomass—organic material that originates from one or more living        organisms and has an average energy content of approximately 16        megaj oules per ton of dry weight.    -   biomass preparer—a machine configured to filter, store, and/or        change a particle size, density, and/or dryness of biomass.    -   Boolean logic—a complete system for logical operations.    -   bulk density—a property of a collection of particles, such as        powders, granules, and other “divided” solids, defined as the        mass of the collection divided by the total volume it occupies,        where the total volume includes particle volume, inter-particle        void volume, and internal pore volume.    -   by—via and/or with the use and/or help of    -   byproduct—something produced in the making of something else.    -   capacity—the maximum rate of production and/or the ability to        yield.    -   can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.    -   cause—to bring about, provoke, precipitate, produce, elicit, be        the reason for, result in, and/or effect.    -   cell—any device in which electrolysis occurs; a cell containing        an electrolyte through which an externally generated electric        current is passed by a system of electrodes in order to produce        an electrochemical reaction.    -   centimeter—a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a        meter.    -   change—(v.) to cause to be different; (n.) the act, process,        and/or result of altering and/or modifying.    -   circuit—a physical system comprising, depending on context: an        electrically conductive pathway; an information transmission        mechanism; and/or a communications connection established via a        switching device (such as a switch, relay, transistor, and/or        logic gate, etc.) and/or established across two or more        switching devices comprised by a network and between        corresponding end systems connected to, but not comprised by the        network.    -   clean—to rid of or reduce dirt, rubbish, and/or impurities.    -   composition of matter—a combination, reaction product, compound,        mixture, formulation, material, and/or composite formed by a        human and/or automation from two or more substances and/or        elements.    -   compound—a pure, macroscopically homogeneous substance        consisting of atoms or ions of two or more different elements in        definite proportions that cannot be separated by physical        methods. A compound usually has properties unlike those of its        constituent elements.    -   comprising—including but not limited to.    -   conceive—to imagine, conceptualize, form, and/or develop in the        mind.    -   concentration—a measure of how much of a given substance is        mixed, dissolved, contained, and/or otherwise present in and/or        with another substance, and/or a measure of the amount of        dissolved substance contained per unit of volume and/or the        amount of a specified substance in a unit amount of another        substance, both measures defining a structure of a composition        that comprises both substances.    -   condition—(n.) a mode, state of being, situation, and/or        circumstance; (v.) to cause to be in a particular mode, state,        situation, and/or circumstance.    -   configure—to design, arrange, set up, shape, and/or make        suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose, function, use,        and/or situation.    -   configured to—designed, arranged, set up, shaped, and/or made        suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose, function, use,        and/or situation, and/or having a structure that, during        operation, will perform the indicated activity(ies). To the        extent relevant to the current application, the use of        “configured to” is expressly not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §        112(f) for that structure.    -   connect—to join or fasten together.    -   consumption—usage.    -   containing—including but not limited to.    -   control—(n) a mechanical or electronic device used to operate a        machine within predetermined limits; (v) to exercise        authoritative and/or dominating influence over, cause to act in        a predetermined manner, direct, adjust to a requirement, and/or        regulate.    -   conversion—the process of and/or result of converting.    -   convert—to transform, adapt, and/or change, such as from a first        form to a second form.    -   corresponding—related, associated, accompanying, similar in        purpose and/or position, conforming in every respect, and/or        equivalent and/or agreeing in amount, quantity, magnitude,        quality, and/or degree.    -   coupleable—capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked        together.    -   coupling—linking in some fashion.    -   create—to bring into being.    -   cycle—a set of predetermined activities.    -   data—distinct pieces of information, usually formatted in a        special or predetermined way and/or organized to express        concepts, and/or represented in a form suitable for processing        by an information device.    -   data structure—an organization of a collection of data that        allows the data to be manipulated effectively and/or a logical        relationship among data elements that is designed to support        specific data manipulation functions. A data structure can        comprise meta data to describe the properties of the data        structure. Examples of data structures can include: array,        dictionary, graph, hash, heap, linked list, matrix, object,        queue, ring, stack, tree, and/or vector.    -   decrease—to be smaller in magnitude.    -   define—to establish the meaning, relationship, outline, form,        and/or structure of;    -   and/or to precisely and/or distinctly describe and/or specify.    -   degrees Celsius—a unit of temperature. The Celsius temperature        scale defines the freezing point of water is 0 degrees, and the        boiling point is 100 degrees at standard atmospheric pressure.    -   density—a measure of a physical quantity of something per unit        measure, especially per unit length, area, or volume; the mass        per unit volume of a substance under specified conditions of        pressure and temperature; a measure of the compactness of a        substance, expressed as its mass per unit volume.    -   derive—to receive, obtain, and/or produce from a source and/or        origin.    -   determine—to find out, obtain, calculate, decide, deduce,        ascertain, and/or come to a decision, typically by        investigation, reasoning, and/or calculation.    -   device—a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof    -   digital—non-analog and/or discrete.    -   dimension—an extension in a given direction and/or a measurement        in length, width, or thickness.    -   dryness—the condition of not containing liquid water.    -   each—every one of a group considered individually.    -   effective—sufficient to bring about, provoke, elicit, and/or        cause.    -   electrical—relating to producing, distributing, and/or operating        by electricity.    -   electrolysis—a process that is characterized by conduction of an        electric current between two or more electrodes through an        electrolyte and resulting in a chemical change (e.g., oxidation,        reduction, etc.) (other than that brought about by the mere        heating effect of the electric current) at one or more of the        electrodes (e.g., electrolytic coating or etching, etc.) or at        another location in contact with the electrolyte as a direct        result of the electric current passing therethrough (e.g.,        electrolytic material treatment, etc.), such chemical change        being the process objective and not merely as a means of        conducting an electric current through the electrolyte.    -   electrolyze—to cause to decompose by electrolysis.    -   electrolyzer—an apparatus in which electrolysis is carried out,        the apparatus comprising one or many electrolytic cells.    -   elemental—of, relating to, or denoting a chemical element.    -   embodiment—an implementation, manifestation, and/or concrete        representation.    -   energy—usable power; a measurable physical quantity, with        dimensions equivalent and/or convertible to mass times velocity        squared, that is conserved for an isolated system.    -   entrain—to carry along in a current.    -   estimate—(n) a calculated value approximating an actual        value; (v) to calculate and/or determine approximately and/or        tentatively.    -   exemplary—serving as an example, instance, and/or illustration.    -   exhaust heat—heat generated during and/or from a chemical        reaction    -   external—exterior and/or relating to, existing on, and/or        connected with the outside and/or or an outer part.    -   filter—(n) a device that removes something from whatever passes        through it; (v) to remove something by passing through a filter;        to remove, from a first substance, a second substance entrained,        suspended, mixed, and/or present in the first substance, by        passing the first substance through a filter, where the second        substance differs from the first substance in composition and/or        property.    -   first—a label for a referenced element in one or more patent        claims, but that label does not necessarily imply any type of        ordering to how that element (or any other elements of a similar        type) is implemented in embodiments of the claimed subject        matter.    -   flow—(n) a stream and/or current; (v) to move and/or run        smoothly with unbroken continuity, as in the manner        characteristic of a fluid.    -   flow rate—an amount of a composition provided to a particular        place within a stated time period.    -   for—with a purpose of    -   from—used to indicate a source, origin, and/or location thereof.    -   fuel—a substance that produces useful energy when it undergoes a        chemical or nuclear reaction.    -   fuel gas—a combustible gaseous composition that releases heat        upon oxidation, the composition comprising one or more of        hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane.    -   further—in addition.    -   gas—a substance and/or collection of substances (e.g.,        molecules, atoms, ions, and/or electrons, etc.) in a gaseous        state, that is, in a state of matter distinguished from the        solid and liquid states by relatively low density and viscosity,        relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in        pressure and temperature, the ability to diffuse readily, and        the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly        throughout any container.    -   generate—to create, produce, give rise to, and/or bring into        existence.    -   given—identified, specified, selected, fixed, particular, and/or        previously stated.    -   haptic—involving the human sense of kinesthetic movement and/or        the human sense of touch. Among the many potential haptic        experiences are numerous sensations, body-positional differences        in sensations, and time-based changes in sensations that are        perceived at least partially in non-visual, non-audible, and        non-olfactory manners, including the experiences of tactile        touch (being touched), active touch, grasping, pressure,        friction, traction, slip, stretch, force, torque, impact,        puncture, vibration, motion, acceleration, jerk, pulse,        orientation, limb position, gravity, texture, gap, recess,        viscosity, pain, itch, moisture, temperature, thermal        conductivity, and thermal capacity.    -   have—to possess as a characteristic, quality, or function.    -   having—including but not limited to; possessing as a        characteristic, quality, or function.    -   heat—(n.) energy associated with the motion of atoms and/or        molecules and capable of being transmitted through solid media        and fluid media by conduction, through fluid media by        convection, and/or through fluid media and/or empty space by        radiation; (v.) to transfer energy from one substance to another        resulting in an increase in temperature of one substance.    -   human-machine interface—hardware and/or software adapted to        render information to a user and/or receive information from the        user; and/or a user interface.    -   hydrocarbon—an organic compound containing hydrogen and carbon.    -   hydrocarbon synthesizer—a device, machine, and/or system        configured to produce synthetic hydrocarbons and/or oxygenated        hydrocarbons from a synthesis gas.    -   hydrogen—an element defined by each atom comprising a single        proton and a single electron.    -   including—including but not limited to.    -   information device—any device capable of processing data and/or        information, such as any general purpose and/or special purpose        computer, such as a personal computer, workstation, server,        minicomputer, mainframe, supercomputer, network device, Internet        appliance, computer terminal, laptop, tablet computer (such as        an iPad-like device), wearable computer, Personal Digital        Assistant (PDA), mobile terminal, Bluetooth device,        communicator, “smart” phone (such as an iPhone-like device),        messaging service (e.g., Blackberry) receiver, pager, facsimile,        cellular telephone, traditional telephone, telephonic device,        video or still camera, embedded controller, programmed        microprocessor or microcontroller and/or peripheral integrated        circuit elements, ASIC or other integrated circuit, hardware        electronic logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit,        and/or programmable logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, or        PAL, or the like, etc. In general, any device on which resides a        finite state machine capable of implementing at least a portion        of a method, structure, and/or or graphical user interface        described herein may be used as an information device. An        information device can comprise components such as one or more        network interfaces, one or more processors, one or more memories        containing instructions, and/or one or more input/output (I/O)        devices, one or more user interfaces coupled to an I/O device,        etc. In information device can be a component of and/or augment        another device and/or system, such as an appliance, machine,        tool, robot, vehicle, television, printer, “smart” utility        meter, etc. (even though that device and/or system might not be        illustrated or described), and/or, in some embodiments, can        function in stand-alone mode.    -   initialize—to prepare something for use and/or some future        event.    -   input—something entering a system, process, machine, and/or        device.    -   input/output (I/O) device—any device adapted to provide input        to, and/or receive output from, an information device. Examples        can include an audio, visual, haptic, olfactory, and/or        taste-oriented device, including, for example, a monitor,        display, projector, overhead display, keyboard, keypad, mouse,        trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel,        pointing device, microphone, speaker, video camera, camera,        scanner, printer, switch, relay, haptic device, vibrator,        tactile simulator, and/or tactile pad, potentially including a        port to which an I/O device can be attached or connected.    -   install—to connect or set in position and prepare for use.    -   instructions—directions, which can be implemented as hardware,        firmware, and/or software, the directions adapted to perform a        particular operation and/or function via creation and/or        maintenance of a predetermined physical circuit.    -   into—to a condition, state, and/or form of; toward, in the        direction of, and/or to the inside of.    -   ion—an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the        loss or gain of one or more electrons, as a cation (positive        ion), which is created by electron loss and is attracted to the        cathode in electrolysis, or as an anion (negative ion), which is        created by an electron gain and is attracted to the anode. The        valence of an ion is equal to the number of electrons lost or        gained and is indicated by a plus sign for cations and a minus        sign for anions, thus: Na+, Cl—, Ca++, S═.    -   is—to exist in actuality.    -   kilowatt—a unit of power equivalent to one thousand Watts.    -   less than—having a measurably smaller magnitude and/or degree as        compared to something else.    -   link—a physical or logical communication channel, such as        between one or more network nodes or between one or more        transmitters and one or more receivers, that connects two or        more communicating devices by means of wired, wireless,        microwave, satellite, cellular, radio, spread spectrum, optical,        and/or television signals.    -   logic gate—a physical device adapted to perform a logical        operation on one or more logic inputs and to produce a single        logic output, which is manifested physically. Because the output        is also a logic-level value, an output of one logic gate can        connect to the input of one or more other logic gates, and via        such combinations, complex operations can be performed. The        logic normally performed is Boolean logic and is most commonly        found in digital circuits. The most common implementations of        logic gates are based on electronics using resistors,        transistors, and/or diodes, and such implementations often        appear in large arrays in the form of integrated circuits        (a.k.a., IC's, microcircuits, microchips, silicon chips, and/or        chips). It is possible, however, to create logic gates that        operate based on vacuum tubes, electromagnetics (e.g., relays),        mechanics (e.g., gears), fluidics, optics, chemical reactions,        and/or DNA, including on a molecular scale. Each        electronically-implemented logic gate typically has two inputs        and one output, each having a logic level or state typically        physically represented by a voltage. At any given moment, every        terminal is in one of the two binary logic states (“false”        (a.k.a., “low” or “0”) or “true” (a.k.a., “high” or “1”),        represented by different voltage levels, yet the logic state of        a terminal can, and generally does, change often, as the circuit        processes data. Thus, each electronic logic gate typically        requires power so that it can source and/or sink currents to        achieve the correct output voltage. Typically,        machine-implementable instructions are ultimately encoded into        binary values of “0”s and/or “1”s and, are typically written        into and/or onto a memory device, such as a “register”, which        records the binary value as a change in a physical property of        the memory device, such as a change in voltage, current, charge,        phase, pressure, weight, height, tension, level, gap, position,        velocity, momentum, force, temperature, polarity, magnetic        field, magnetic force, magnetic orientation, reflectivity,        molecular linkage, molecular weight, etc. An exemplary register        might store a value of “01101100”, which encodes a total of 8        “bits” (one byte), where each value of either “0” or “1” is        called a “bit” (and 8 bits are collectively called a “byte”).        Note that because a binary bit can only have one of two        different values (either “0” or “1”), any physical medium        capable of switching between two saturated states can be used to        represent a bit. Therefore, any physical system capable of        representing binary bits is able to represent numerical        quantities, and potentially can manipulate those numbers via        particular encoded machine-implementable instructions. This is        one of the basic concepts underlying digital computing. At the        register and/or gate level, a computer does not treat these “0”s        and “1”s as numbers per se, but typically as voltage levels (in        the case of an electronically-implemented computer), for        example, a high voltage of approximately +3 volts might        represent a “1” or “logical true” and a low voltage of        approximately 0 volts might represent a “0” or “logical false”        (or vice versa, depending on how the circuitry is designed).        These high and low voltages (or other physical properties,        depending on the nature of the implementation) are typically fed        into a series of logic gates, which in turn, through the correct        logic design, produce the physical and logical results specified        by the particular encoded machine-implementable instructions.        For example, if the encoding request a calculation, the logic        gates might add the first two bits of the encoding together,        produce a result “1” (“0”+“1”=“1”), and then write this result        into another register for subsequent retrieval and reading. Or,        if the encoding is a request for some kind of service, the logic        gates might in turn access or write into some other registers        which would in turn trigger other logic gates to initiate the        requested service.    -   logical—a conceptual representation.    -   longitudinal—of and/or relating to a length; placed and/or        running lengthwise.    -   longitudinal axis—a straight line defined parallel to an        object's length and passing through a centroid of the object.    -   machine-implementable instructions—directions adapted to cause a        machine, such as an information device, to perform one or more        particular activities, operations, and/or functions via forming        a particular physical circuit. The directions, which can        sometimes form an entity called a “processor”, “kernel”,        “operating system”, “program”, “application”, “utility”,        “subroutine”, “script”, “macro”, “file”, “project”, “module”,        “library”, “class”, and/or “object”, etc., can be embodied        and/or encoded as machine code, source code, object code,        compiled code, assembled code, interpretable code, and/or        executable code, etc., in hardware, firmware, and/or software.    -   machine-readable medium—a transitory and/or non-transitory        physical and/or tangible structure via which a machine, such as        an information device, computer, microprocessor, and/or        controller, etc., can store or carry one or more        machine-implementable instructions, data structures, data,        and/or information and/or obtain one or more stored        machine-implementable instructions, data structures, data,        and/or information. Examples include a memory device, punch        card, player-piano scroll, etc.    -   manmade—a tangible physical item that is synthetic and/or made        by humans rather than occurring in nature.    -   mass—a property of matter equal to the measure of the amount of        matter contained in or constituting a physical body that partly        determines the body's resistance to changes in the speed or        direction of its motion.    -   mass and heat integrator—one or more devices, machines, and/or        systems configured to store mass and/or heat (themal energy).    -   mass byproduct—a byproduct that has mass (e.g., a byproduct        other than heat, electricity, or other form of energy).    -   mass-to-mass ratio—the mass of a first substance expressed with        respect to the mass of a second substance.    -   maximum—out of a sequence of data points, the data point having        the largest magnitude as measured along the non-time axis; a        measure of the magnitude of such a data point.    -   may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some        embodiments.    -   medium—any substance or material, such as one or more solids,        liquids, vapors, fluids, water, and/or air, etc.    -   memory device—an apparatus capable of storing, sometimes        permanently, machine-implementable instructions, data, and/or        information, in analog and/or digital format. Examples include        at least one non-volatile memory, volatile memory, register,        relay, switch, Random Access Memory, RAM (e.g., SDRAM, DDR,        RDRAM, and/or SRAM, etc.), Read Only Memory, Erasable        Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable        Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), ROM, flash memory,        magnetic media, hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical        media, optical disk, compact disk, CD, digital versatile disk,        DVD, and/or raid array, etc. The memory device can be coupled to        a processor and/or can store and provide instructions adapted to        be executed by processor, such as according to an embodiment        disclosed herein.    -   meter—a device adapted to detect and/or record a measured value.    -   method—one or more acts that are performed upon subject matter        to be transformed to a different state or thing and/or are tied        to a particular apparatus, said one or more acts not a        fundamental principal and not pre-empting all uses of a        fundamental principal.    -   milligram—One one-thousandth of a gram.    -   mix—to combine and/or blend into one mass, stream, and/or        mixture.    -   molecule—the smallest particle of a substance that retains the        chemical and physical properties of the substance and is        composed of two or more atoms; and/or a group of like or        different atoms held together by chemical forces.    -   nameplate—an as-designed, as-built, or as-installed full-load        property of a facility, piece of equipment, subsystem, block,        module, and/or process unit at approximately steady state        conditions. Also known as a rated capacity, nominal capacity,        design capacity, installed capacity, or maximum property, that        property sometimes referred to as a “capacity”, and depending on        context, the property itself being, e.g., a throughput, flow        rate, power input, or power output, etc.    -   network—a communicatively coupled plurality of nodes,        communication devices, and/or information devices. Via a        network, such nodes and/or devices can be linked, such as via        various wireline and/or wireless media, such as cables,        telephone lines, power lines, optical fibers, radio waves,        and/or light beams, etc., to share resources (such as printers        and/or memory devices), exchange files, and/or allow electronic        communications therebetween. A network can be and/or can utilize        any of a wide variety of sub-networks and/or protocols, such as        a circuit switched, public-switched, packet switched,        connection-less, wireless, virtual, radio, data, telephone,        twisted pair, POTS, non-POTS, DSL, cellular, telecommunications,        video distribution, cable, radio, terrestrial, microwave,        broadcast, satellite, broadband, corporate, global, national,        regional, wide area, backbone, packet-switched TCP/IP, IEEE        802.03, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Token Ring, local area, wide        area, IP, public Internet, intranet, private, ATM, Ultra Wide        Band (UWB), Wi-Fi, BlueTooth, Airport, IEEE 802.11, IEEE        802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, X-10, electrical power, 3G,        4G, multi-domain, and/or multi-zone sub-network and/or protocol,        one or more Internet service providers, one or more network        interfaces, and/or one or more information devices, such as a        switch, router, and/or gateway not directly connected to a local        area network, etc., and/or any equivalents thereof.    -   network interface—any physical and/or logical device, system,        and/or process capable of coupling an information device to a        network. Exemplary network interfaces comprise a telephone,        cellular phone, cellular modem, telephone data modem, fax modem,        wireless transceiver, communications port, ethernet card, cable        modem, digital subscriber line interface, bridge, hub, router,        or other similar device, software to manage such a device,        and/or software to provide a function of such a device.    -   no—an absence of and/or lacking any.    -   non-destructively—to perform substantially without damaging.    -   one—being and/or amounting to a single unit, individual, and/or        entire thing, item, and/or object.    -   only—substantially without anything further.    -   operable—practicable and/or fit, ready, and/or configured to be        put into its intended use and/or service.    -   operate—to perform a function and/or to work.    -   operative—when in operation for its intended use and/or service.    -   or—a conjunction used to indicate alternatives, typically        appearing only before the last item in a group of alternative        items.    -   organic—a compound containing carbon, which is further        characterized by the presence in the molecule of two carbon        atoms bonded together; or one atom of carbon bonded to at least        one atom of hydrogen or halogen; or one atom of carbon bonded to        at least one atom of nitrogen by a single or double bond.    -   other—a different and/or distinct entity and/or not the same as        already mentioned and/or implied.    -   output—(n) something produced and/or generated; and/or the        energy, power, work, signal, and/or information produced by a        system; something produced in a given time period; (v) to        provide, produce, manufacture, and/or generate.    -   outside—beyond a range, boundary, and/or limit; and/or not        within.    -   over—with reference to, during, and/or throughout.    -   oxide—any compound of oxygen with another element.    -   oxygenated—chemical compounds contain oxygen as a part of their        chemical structure.    -   packet—a generic term for a bundle of data organized in a        specific way for transmission, such as within and/or across a        network, such as a digital packet-switching network, and        comprising the data to be transmitted and certain control        information, such as a destination address.    -   parallel—of, relating to, and/or designating lines, curves,        planes, and/or surfaces everywhere equidistant.    -   particle—a small piece or part. A particle can be and/or be        comprised by a powder, bead, crumb, crystal, dust, grain, grit,        meal, pounce, pulverulence, and/or seed, etc.    -   per—for each and/or by means of.    -   percent—one part in one hundred.    -   perceptible—capable of being perceived by the human senses.    -   period—a time interval.    -   perpendicular—intersecting at or forming substantially right        angles.    -   pH—a measure representing the base 10 logarithm of the        reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentration in gram atoms per        liter, used to express the acidity or alkalinity of a solution        on a scale of 0 to 14, where less than 7 represents acidity, 7        neutrality, and more than 7 alkalinity.    -   physical—tangible, real, and/or actual.    -   physically—existing, happening, occurring, acting, and/or        operating in a manner that is tangible, real, and/or actual.    -   plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.    -   portion—a part, component, section, percentage, ratio, and/or        quantity that is less than a larger whole.    -   power—(n) energy, a measure of energy and/or work, and/or a rate        at which work is done, expressed as the amount of work per unit        time and commonly measured in units such as watt and        horsepower; (v) to energize, such as via applying electricity.    -   power conditioner—a device, machine, and/or system configured to        store, convert, and/or condition electrical power.    -   power generator—a device, machine, and/or system configured to        adaptable to produce electrical power.    -   ppm—parts per million.    -   pre-—a prefix that precedes an activity that has occurred        beforehand and/or in advance.    -   predetermine—to determine, decide, and/or establish in advance.    -   preheat—to heat prior to introducing reactants into.    -   prepare—(v.) to make ready or suitable in advance for a        particular purpose, use, event, etc.    -   prevent—to hinder, avert, and/or keep from occurring.    -   prior—before and/or preceding in time or order.    -   probability—a quantitative representation of a likelihood of an        occurrence.    -   processor—a machine that provides and/or utilizes hardware,        firmware, and/or software and is physically adaptable to        perform, via Boolean logic operating on a plurality of logic        gates that form particular physical circuits, a specific task        defined by a set of machine-implementable instructions. A        processor can utilize mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic,        electrical, magnetic, optical, informational, chemical, and/or        biological principles, characteristics, mechanisms, components,        data structures, adaptations, signals, inputs, and/or outputs to        perform the task(s). In certain embodiments, a processor can act        upon information by manipulating, analyzing, modifying, and/or        converting it, transmitting the information for use by        machine-implementable instructions and/or an information device,        and/or routing the information to an output device. A processor        can function as a central processing unit, local controller,        remote controller, parallel controller, and/or distributed        controller, etc. Unless stated otherwise, the processor can be a        general-purpose device, such as a microcontroller and/or a        microprocessor, such the Pentium family of microprocessor        manufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In        certain embodiments, the processor can be special purpose and/or        dedicated purpose device, such as an Application Specific        Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array        (FPGA), that has been designed to implement in its hardware        and/or firmware at least a part of an embodiment disclosed        herein. A processor can reside on and use the capabilities of a        controller.    -   produce—(v.) to create and/or generate via a physical effort,        manufacture, and/or make.    -   product—something produced by human and/or mechanical effort.    -   project—to calculate, estimate, or predict.    -   provide—to furnish, supply, give, convey, send, and/or make        available.    -   pure—having a substantially homogeneous and/or uniform        composition, not mixed, and/or substantially free of foreign        substances.    -   range—a measure of an extent of a set of values and/or an amount        and/or extent of variation and/or a defined interval        characterized by a predetermined maximum value and/or a        predetermined minimum value.    -   ratio—a relationship between two quantities expressed as a        quotient of one divided by the other.    -   re-activate—to make active again and/or to restore the ability        to function and/or the effectiveness of.    -   react—to cause (a substance or substances) to undergo a        reaction.    -   reactants—substances that react in a chemical reaction.    -   reaction—a change and/or transformation in which a substance        decomposes, combines with other substances, and/or interchanges        constituents with other substances.    -   reaction product—something produced by a chemical reaction.    -   receive—to gather, take, acquire, obtain, accept, get, and/or        have bestowed upon.    -   recommend—to suggest, praise, commend, and/or endorse.    -   recycle—(v.) to treat and/or process (e.g., used and/or waste        materials) so as to make suitable for reuse; (adj.) suitable for        reuse.    -   reduce—to make and/or become lesser and/or smaller.    -   remove—to eliminate, take away, and/or delete, and/or to move        from a place or position occupied.    -   render—to, e.g., physically, chemically, biologically,        electronically, electrically, magnetically, optically,        acoustically, fluidically, and/or mechanically, etc., transform        information into a form perceptible to a human as, for example,        data, commands, text, graphics, audio, video, animation, and/or        hyperlinks, etc., such as via a visual, audio, and/or haptic,        etc., means and/or depiction, such as via a display, monitor,        electric paper, ocular implant, cochlear implant, speaker,        vibrator, shaker, force-feedback device, stylus, joystick,        steering wheel, glove, blower, heater, cooler, pin array,        tactile touchscreen, etc.    -   repeat—to do again and/or perform again.    -   repeatedly—again and again; repetitively.    -   request—to express a desire for and/or ask for.    -   result—(n.) an outcome and/or consequence of a particular        action, operation, and/or course; (v.) to cause an outcome        and/or consequence of a particular action, operation, and/or        course.    -   resulting—that which is an outcome and/or consequence of a        particular action, operation, and/or course.    -   said—when used in a system or device claim, an article        indicating a subsequent claim term that has been previously        introduced.    -   salt—a chemical compound formed by replacing all or part of the        hydrogen ions of an acid with metal ions and/or electropositive        radicals.    -   saturated—full and/or unable to hold and/or contain more.    -   second—a label for an element in one or more patent claims, the        element other than a “first” referenced element of a similar        type, but the label does not necessarily imply any type of        ordering to how that “second” element or the “first” element is        implemented in embodiments of the claimed subject matter.    -   select—to make a choice or selection from alternatives.    -   selectively—via choice.    -   server—an information device and/or a process running thereon,        that is adapted to be communicatively coupled to a network and        that is adapted to provide at least one service for at least one        client, i.e., for at least one other information device        communicatively coupled to the network and/or for at least one        process running on another information device communicatively        coupled to the network. One example is a file server, which has        a local drive and services requests from remote clients to read,        write, and/or manage files on that drive. Another example is an        e-mail server, which provides at least one program that accepts,        temporarily stores, relays, and/or delivers e-mail messages.        Still another example is a database server, which processes        database queries. Yet another example is a device server, which        provides networked and/or programmable: access to, and/or        monitoring, management, and/or control of, shared physical        resources and/or devices, such as information devices, printers,        modems, scanners, projectors, displays, lights, cameras,        security equipment, proximity readers, card readers, kiosks,        POS/retail equipment, phone systems, residential equipment, HVAC        equipment, medical equipment, laboratory equipment, industrial        equipment, machine tools, pumps, fans, motor drives, scales,        programmable logic controllers, sensors, data collectors,        actuators, alarms, annunciators, and/or input/output devices,        etc.    -   set—a related plurality.    -   signal—(v) to communicate; (n) one or more automatically        detectable variations in a physical variable, such as a        pneumatic, hydraulic, acoustic, fluidic, mechanical, electrical,        magnetic, optical, chemical, and/or biological variable, such as        power, energy, pressure, flowrate, viscosity, density, torque,        impact, force, frequency, phase, voltage, current, resistance,        magnetomotive force, magnetic field intensity, magnetic field        flux, magnetic flux density, reluctance, permeability, index of        refraction, optical wavelength, polarization, reflectance,        transmittance, phase shift, concentration, and/or temperature,        etc., that can encode information, such as machine-implementable        instructions for activities and/or one or more letters, words,        characters, symbols, signal flags, visual displays, and/or        special sounds, etc., having prearranged meaning. Depending on        the context, a signal and/or the information encoded therein can        be synchronous, asynchronous, hard real-time, soft real-time,        non-real time, continuously generated, continuously varying,        analog, discretely generated, discretely varying, quantized,        digital, broadcast, multicast, unicast, transmitted, conveyed,        received, continuously measured, discretely measured, processed,        encoded, encrypted, multiplexed, modulated, spread, de-spread,        demodulated, detected, de-multiplexed, decrypted, and/or        decoded, etc.    -   size—(n) physical dimensions, proportions, magnitude, amount,        and/or extent of an entity; (v) to determine physical        dimensions, proportions, magnitude, amount, and/or extent of an        entity.    -   solid—neither liquid nor gaseous, but instead of definite shape        and/or form.    -   source—an original and/or intermediate transmitter of electrical        energy and/or a related group of such transmitters and/or a        point at which something originates, springs into being, and/or        from which it derives and/or is obtained.    -   special purpose computer—a computer and/or information device        comprising a processor device having a plurality of logic gates,        whereby at least a portion of those logic gates, via        implementation of specific machine-implementable instructions by        the processor, experience a change in at least one physical and        measurable property, such as a voltage, current, charge, phase,        pressure, weight, height, tension, level, gap, position,        velocity, momentum, force, temperature, polarity, magnetic        field, magnetic force, magnetic orientation, reflectivity,        molecular linkage, molecular weight, etc., thereby directly        tying the specific machine-implementable instructions to the        logic gate's specific configuration and property(ies). In the        context of an electronic computer, each such change in the logic        gates creates a specific electrical circuit, thereby directly        tying the specific machine-implementable instructions to that        specific electrical circuit.    -   special purpose processor—a processor device, having a plurality        of logic gates, whereby at least a portion of those logic gates,        via implementation of specific machine-implementable        instructions by the processor, experience a change in at least        one physical and measurable property, such as a voltage,        current, charge, phase, pressure, weight, height, tension,        level, gap, position, velocity, momentum, force, temperature,        polarity, magnetic field, magnetic force, magnetic orientation,        reflectivity, molecular linkage, molecular weight, etc., thereby        directly tying the specific machine-implementable instructions        to the logic gate's specific configuration and property(ies). In        the context of an electronic computer, each such change in the        logic gates creates a specific electrical circuit, thereby        directly tying the specific machine-implementable instructions        to that specific electrical circuit.    -   species—a class of individuals and/or objects grouped by virtue        of their common attributes and assigned a common name; a        division subordinate to a genus.    -   spent—used up, consumed, exhausted, and/or depleted of        effectiveness.    -   state—a qualitative and/or quantitative description of        condition.    -   store—to deposit, receive, place, collect, keep, retain, save,        hold, accumulate, and/or retain mass and/or data.    -   stream—a steady current of a fluid.    -   substantially—to a great extent and/or degree.    -   sufficient—a degree and/or amount necessary to achieve a        predetermined result.    -   sufficiently—to a degree necessary to achieve a predetermined        result.    -   supply—to make available for use.    -   support—to bear the weight of, especially from below.    -   switch—(v) to: form, open, and/or close one or more circuits;        form, complete, and/or break an electrical and/or informational        path; select a path and/or circuit from a plurality of available        paths and/or circuits; and/or establish a connection between        disparate transmission path segments in a network (or between        networks); (n) a physical device, such as a mechanical,        electrical, and/or electronic device, that is adapted to switch.    -   synthesis gas—a combustible mixture of hydrogen and carbon        monoxide, in various ratios, the mixture often containing some        carbon dioxide and/or methane, and often used as a fuel.    -   synthetic hydrocarbons—one or more manmade organic compounds        that each comprises only hydrogen and carbon or only hydrogen,        carbon, and oxygen (and thus such compounds include synthetic        oxygenated hydrocarbons).    -   system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles        of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the        collection designed to perform one or more specific, practical,        concrete, tangible, and/or useful functions.    -   that—used as the subject or object of a relative clause.    -   thermal decomposer—a device, machine, and/or system configured        to cause thermal decomposition.    -   thermal decomposition—a process and/or chemical reaction via        which heat is applied to simplify and/or break the chemical        bonds of a single chemical entity (normal molecule, reaction        intermediate, etc.) into two or more fragments and/or products.    -   thermal—pertaining to temperature.    -   through—across, among, between, and/or in one side and out the        opposite and/or another side of.    -   to—a preposition expressing purpose.    -   transform—to change in measurable: form, appearance, nature,        and/or character.    -   transmit—to send as a signal, provide, furnish, and/or supply.    -   treatment—an act, manner, or method of handling and/or dealing        with someone and/or something.    -   upon—immediately or very soon after; and/or on the occasion of.    -   use—to utilize, apply, harness, exploit, and/or put into        service.    -   user interface—any device for rendering information to a user        and/or requesting information from the user. A user interface        includes at least one of textual, graphical, audio, video,        animation, and/or haptic elements. A textual element can be        provided, for example, by a printer, monitor, display,        projector, etc. A graphical element can be provided, for        example, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or visual        indication device, such as a light, flag, beacon, etc. An audio        element can be provided, for example, via a speaker, microphone,        and/or other sound generating and/or receiving device. A video        element or animation element can be provided, for example, via a        monitor, display, projector, and/or other visual device. A        haptic element can be provided, for example, via a very low        frequency speaker, vibrator, tactile stimulator, tactile pad,        simulator, keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, joystick,        gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel, pointing device, and/or        other haptic device, etc. A user interface can include one or        more textual elements such as, for example, one or more letters,        number, symbols, etc. A user interface can include one or more        graphical elements such as, for example, an image, photograph,        drawing, icon, window, title bar, panel, sheet, tab, drawer,        matrix, table, form, calendar, outline view, frame, dialog box,        static text, text box, list, pick list, pop-up list, pull-down        list, menu, tool bar, dock, check box, radio button, hyperlink,        browser, button, control, palette, preview panel, color wheel,        dial, slider, scroll bar, cursor, status bar, stepper, and/or        progress indicator, etc. A textual and/or graphical element can        be used for selecting, programming, adjusting, changing,        specifying, etc. an appearance, background color, background        style, border style, border thickness, foreground color, font,        font style, font size, alignment, line spacing, indent, maximum        data length, validation, query, cursor type, pointer type,        autosizing, position, and/or dimension, etc. A user interface        can include one or more audio elements such as, for example, a        volume control, pitch control, speed control, voice selector,        and/or one or more elements for controlling audio play, speed,        pause, fast forward, reverse, etc. A user interface can include        one or more video elements such as, for example, elements        controlling video play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse,        zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, and/or tilt, etc. A user interface        can include one or more animation elements such as, for example,        elements controlling animation play, pause, fast forward,        reverse, zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, tilt, color, intensity,        speed, frequency, appearance, etc. A user interface can include        one or more haptic elements such as, for example, elements        utilizing tactile stimulus, force, pressure, vibration, motion,        displacement, temperature, etc.    -   via—by way of, with, and/or utilizing.    -   volume—the amount of space occupied by a three dimensional        object or a region of space measured in cubic units.    -   water—a transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid containing        approximately 11.188 percent hydrogen and approximately 88.812        percent oxygen, by weight, characterized by the chemical formula        H₂O, and, at standard pressure (approximately 14.7 psia),        freezing at approximately 32° F. or 0° C. and boiling at        approximately 212° F. or 100° C.    -   weight—a force with which a body is attracted to Earth or        another celestial body, equal to the product of the object's        mass and the acceleration of gravity; and/or a factor and/or        value assigned to a number in a computation, such as in        determining an average, to make the number's effect on the        computation reflect its importance, significance, preference,        impact, etc.    -   when—at a time and/or during the time at which.    -   wherein—in regard to which; and; and/or in addition to.    -   with—accompanied by.    -   with regard to—about, regarding, relative to, and/or in relation        to.    -   with respect to—about, regarding, relative to, and/or in        relation to.    -   within—inside the limits of.    -   zone—a region and/or volume having at least one predetermined        boundary.

Note

Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplaryembodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein,textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known tothe inventor(s), for implementing the claimed subject matter by personshaving ordinary skill in the art. References herein to “in oneembodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or the like do not necessarily refer tothe same embodiment.

Any of numerous possible variations (e.g., modifications, augmentations,embellishments, refinements, and/or enhancements, etc.), details (e.g.,species, aspects, nuances, and/or elaborations, etc.), and/orequivalents (e.g., substitutions, replacements, combinations, and/oralternatives, etc.) of one or more embodiments described herein mightbecome apparent upon reading this document to a person having ordinaryskill in the art, relying upon his/her expertise and/or knowledge of theentirety of the art and without exercising undue experimentation. Theinventor(s) expects any person having ordinary skill in the art, afterobtaining authorization from the inventor(s), to implement suchvariations, details, and/or equivalents as appropriate, and theinventor(s) therefore intends for the claimed subject matter to bepracticed other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, aspermitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers allvariations, details, and equivalents of that claimed subject matter.Moreover, as permitted by law, every combination of the herein describedcharacteristics, functions, activities, substances, and/or structuralelements, and all possible variations, details, and equivalents thereof,is encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearlyindicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwiseclearly unsuitable, inoperable, or contradicted by context.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or moreembodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimedsubject matter unless otherwise stated. No language herein should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential tothe practice of the claimed subject matter.

Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field,background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) ofthis document, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as viaexplicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted bycontext, with respect to any claim, whether of this document and/or anyclaim of any document claiming priority hereto, and whether originallypresented or otherwise:

-   -   there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular        described characteristic, function, activity, substance, or        structural element, for any particular sequence of activities,        for any particular combination of substances, or for any        particular interrelationship of elements;    -   no described characteristic, function, activity, substance, or        structural element is “essential”; and    -   within, among, and between any described embodiments:        -   any two or more described substances can be mixed, combined,            reacted, separated, and/or segregated;        -   any described characteristic, function, activity, substance,            component, and/or structural element, or any combination            thereof, can be specifically included, duplicated, excluded,            combined, reordered, reconfigured, integrated, and/or            segregated;        -   any described interrelationship, sequence, and/or dependence            between any described characteristics, functions,            activities, substances, components, and/or structural            elements can be omitted, changed, varied, and/or reordered;        -   any described activity can be performed manually,            semi-automatically, and/or automatically;        -   any described activity can be repeated, performed by            multiple entities, and/or performed in multiple            jurisdictions.

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referentsin the context of describing various embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context.

The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are tobe construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but notlimited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly statedotherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges ofvalues herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and eachseparate sub-range defined by such separate values is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. Forexample, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes allvalues therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179,8.9999, etc., and includes all sub-ranges therebetween, such as forexample, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc., even if those specificvalues or specific sub-ranges are not explicitly stated.

When any phrase (i.e., one or more words) appearing in a claim isfollowed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number isexemplary and non-limiting on claim scope.

No claim or claim element of this document is intended to invoke 35 USC112(f) unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.

Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, UnitedStates patent application, book, article, web page, etc.) that has beenincorporated by reference herein, is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety to its fullest enabling extent permitted by law yet only tothe extent that no conflict exists between such information and theother definitions, statements, and/or drawings set forth herein. In theevent of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalidany claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflictinginformation in such material is specifically not incorporated byreference herein. Any specific information in any portion of anymaterial that has been incorporated by reference herein that identifies,criticizes, or compares to any prior art is not incorporated byreference herein.

Applicant intends that each claim presented herein and at any pointduring the prosecution of this application, and in any application thatclaims priority hereto, defines a distinct patentable invention and thatthe scope of that invention must change commensurately if and as thescope of that claim changes during its prosecution. Thus, within thisdocument, and during prosecution of any patent application relatedhereto, any reference to any claimed subject matter is intended toreference the precise language of the then-pending claimed subjectmatter at that particular point in time only.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary,description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this document, otherthan the claims themselves and any provided definitions of the phrasesused therein, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not asrestrictive. The scope of subject matter protected by any claim of anypatent that issues based on this document is defined and limited only bythe precise language of that claim (and all legal equivalents thereof)and any provided definition of any phrase used in that claim, asinformed by the context of this document when reasonably interpreted bya person having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured for converting biomass tosynthetic hydrocarbons, the system comprising: a biomass preparerconfigured to: filter and/or change a particle size, density, and/ordryness of a received biomass provided to the biomass preparersufficiently for a resulting prepared biomass to have, on average, amaximum dimension between approximately 1 and approximately 10centimeter, a bulk density between approximately 0.2 and approximately0.9 kilogram/liter, and/or a dryness between 0 and approximately 30weight percent; and store a volume of prepared biomass sufficient tooperate the biomass thermal decomposer for at least 4 hours atapproximately a biomass thermal decomposer nameplate biomass input flowrate; a biomass thermal decomposer configured to convert the preparedbiomass to a synthesis gas; a synthesis gas cleaner configured toproduce cleaned synthesis gas by removing biomass thermal decompositionbyproducts from the synthesis gas; an electrolyzer configured toelectrolyze water into electrolyzer hydrogen gas (H₂) and electrolyzeroxygen gas (O₂); a hydrocarbon synthesizer configured to producesynthetic hydrocarbons from the cleaned synthesis gas and theelectrolyzer hydrogen gas; an electrical power conditioner configured tostore sufficient electrical power selectively received from anelectrical power generator and/or an external electrical power source toelectrically power: the electrolyzer at approximately 20 percent toapproximately 100 percent of an electrolyzer nameplate electrical powerconsumption rate for at least 0.5 hours; the system at approximately 20percent to approximately 100 percent of a system nameplate synthetichydrocarbon output flow rate for at least 0.5 hours; and a mass and heatintegrator configured to store sufficient electrolyzer hydrogen gas tooperate the hydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 20 percent toapproximately 100 percent of a hydrocarbon synthesizer nameplatesynthetic hydrocarbon output flow rate for at least 0.5 hours.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the mass and heat integrator is configured tostore sufficient electrolyzer oxygen gas for the biomass thermaldecomposer to produce the synthetic gas with a nitrogen (N₂)concentration of less than 20 volume percent at the biomass thermaldecomposer nameplate biomass input flow rate for at least 0.5 hours. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the mass and heat integrator isconfigured to selectively provide electrolyzer hydrogen gas, carbondioxide, carbon monoxide, and/or synthetic hydrocarbons to the biomassthermal decomposer.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising theelectrical power generator, wherein the electrical power generator isconfigured to supply sufficient exhaust heat to heat the preparedbiomass to at least 45 degrees Celsius.
 5. The system of claim 1,further comprising the electrical power generator, wherein theelectrical power generator is configured to supply sufficient exhaustgas to decrease a concentration of the nitrogen (N₂) in the preparedbiomass to less than 75 volume percent.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the mass and heat integrator is configured to preheat theelectrolyzer oxygen gas to at least 45 degrees Celsius and supplypreheated electrolyzer oxygen gas to the biomass thermal decomposer. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the mass and heat integrator isconfigured to preheat recycle biomass to at least 45 degrees Celsius andto supply the preheated recycle biomass to the biomass thermaldecomposer.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mass and heatintegrator is configured to provide water received from the hydrocarbonsynthesizer to the electrolyzer.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein themass and heat integrator is configured to store sufficient water tooperate the electrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to approximately100 percent of the electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumptionrate for at least 0.5 hours.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the massand heat integrator is configured to store at least 10 kilowatt hours ofhydrocarbon synthesis mass byproducts.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the system is configured to control a ratio of hydrogen (H₂) tocarbon monoxide (CO) in the synthesis gas to within a range ofapproximately 1.3 to approximately 2.7.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the electrical power conditioner is configured to storesufficient electrical power to operate the electrolyzer at approximately100 percent of the electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumptionrate for at least 1 hour.
 13. The system of claim 1, further comprisingthe electrical power generator, wherein the system is configured tostore sufficient prepared biomass, sufficient electrical power, andsufficient electrolyzer hydrogen gas to operate: the biomass thermaldecomposer at approximately 70 percent to approximately 100 percent ofthe biomass thermal decomposer nameplate biomass input flow rate over a2 hour period using electrical power received from only the electricalpower generator; and the hydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 70percent to approximately 100 percent of the hydrocarbon synthesizernameplate synthetic hydrocarbon output flow rate over a 2 hour periodusing electrical power received from only the electrical powergenerator.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrolyzer is asolid oxide electrolysis cell and the mass and heat integrator isconfigured to store sufficient thermal energy to operate theelectrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100 percent ofthe electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate for atleast 0.5 hours.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the system isconfigured to be at least partially controlled via an offsitecontroller.
 16. A method for converting biomass to synthetichydrocarbons, the method comprising: via a biomass preparer: filteringand/or changing a particle size, density, and/or dryness of a receivedbiomass provided to the biomass preparer sufficiently for a resultingprepared biomass to have, on average, a maximum dimension betweenapproximately 1 and approximately 10 centimeter, a bulk density betweenapproximately 0.2 and approximately 0.9 kilogram/liter, and/or a drynessbetween 0 and approximately 30 weight percent; and storing a volume ofprepared biomass sufficient to operate the biomass thermal decomposerfor at least 4 hours at approximately a biomass thermal decomposernameplate biomass input flow rate; via a biomass thermal decomposer,converting the prepared biomass to a synthesis gas; via a synthesis gascleaner, producing cleaned synthesis gas by removing biomass thermaldecomposition byproducts from the synthesis gas; via an electrolyzer,electrolyzing water into electrolyzer hydrogen gas (H₂) and electrolyzeroxygen gas (O₂); via a hydrocarbon synthesizer, producing synthetichydrocarbons from the cleaned synthesis gas and the electrolyzerhydrogen gas; via an electrical power conditioner, storing sufficientelectrical power selectively received from an electrical power generatorand/or an external electrical power source to electrically power: theelectrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100 percent ofan electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate for at least0.5 hours; the system at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100percent of a system nameplate hydrocarbon output flow rate for at least0.5 hours; and via a mass and heat integrator, storing sufficientelectrolyzer hydrogen gas provided by the electrolyzer to operate thehydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100percent of a hydrocarbon synthesizer nameplate synthetic hydrocarbonoutput flow rate for at least 0.5 hours.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising, via the mass and heat integrator, storing sufficientelectrolyzer oxygen gas for the biomass thermal decomposer to producethe synthetic gas with a nitrogen (N₂) gas concentration of less than 20volume percent at the biomass thermal decomposer nameplate biomass inputflow rate for at least 0.5 hours.
 18. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising, via the mass and heat integrator, selectively providinghydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxide, and/or synthetichydrocarbons to the biomass thermal decomposer.
 19. The method of claim16, further comprising, supplying sufficient exhaust heat from theelectrical power generator to heat the prepared biomass to at least 45degrees Celsius.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprisingsupplying sufficient exhaust gas from the electrical power generator todecrease the concentration of nitrogen (N₂) in the prepared biomass toless than 75 volume percent.
 21. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising preheating the electrolyzer oxygen to at least 45 degreesCelsius and supplying the preheated electrolyzer oxygen gas to thebiomass thermal decomposer.
 22. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising preheating recycle biomass to at least 45 degrees Celsius andsupplying the preheated recycle biomass to the biomass thermaldecomposer.
 23. The method of claim 16, further comprising providingwater received from the hydrocarbon synthesizer to the electrolyzer. 24.The method of claim 16, further comprising, via the mass and heatintegrator, storing sufficient water to operate the electrolyzer atapproximately 20 percent to approximately 100 percent of theelectrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate for at least0.5 hours.
 25. The method of claim 16, further comprising, via the massand heat integrator, storing at least 10 kilowatt hours of hydrocarbonsynthesis mass byproducts.
 26. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising controlling a ratio of hydrogen (H₂) to carbon monoxide (CO)in the synthesis gas to within a range of approximately 1.3 toapproximately 2.7.
 27. The method of claim 16, further comprising, viathe electrical power conditioner, storing sufficient electrical power tooperate the electrolyzer at approximately 100 percent of theelectrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate for at least 1hour.
 28. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing sufficientprepared biomass, sufficient electrical power, and sufficientelectrolyzer hydrogen gas to operate: the biomass thermal decomposer atapproximately 70 percent to approximately 100 percent of the biomassthermal decomposer nameplate biomass input flow rate over a 2 hourperiod using electrical power received from only the electrical powergenerator; and the hydrocarbon synthesizer at approximately 70 percentto approximately 100 percent of the hydrocarbon synthesizer nameplatesynthetic hydrocarbon output flow rate over a 2 hour period usingelectrical power from only the electrical power generator.
 29. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising, via the mass and heatintegrator, storing sufficient thermal energy to operate theelectrolyzer at approximately 20 percent to approximately 100 percent ofthe electrolyzer nameplate electrical power consumption rate for atleast 0.5 hours, wherein the electrolyzer is a solid oxide electrolysiscell.
 30. The method of claim 16, further comprising at least partiallycontrolling operation of the system via an offsite controller.